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{
    "id": 742834,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/742834/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 224,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Dr.) Nyikal",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "Just recently, we were discussing the need to get some money to bail out the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA). The title deed of its land had been used in some undertaking that does not seem to be very clear thus jeopardising the ownership of one of its large investments. The report also indicated that there was non-remission of statutory deductions. In my view, that is carelessness and negligence. Officers make deductions on paper and fail to remit the money and, therefore, underestimate the actual emoluments. This is extremely detrimental to the staff who miss on their savings at the end of their employment. So, with regard to the NSSF, the NHIF and co-operative societies, people suffer because of carelessness of a few individuals. There is need for regular auditing of State corporations. That way, boards and their chief executive officers (CEOs) will, perhaps, realise their responsibility and obligations. Looking at this Report, whereas all of us agree that the Committee has done a good job, the size of the Report tells you that even scrutiny by Parliament is made difficult. I am sure the Committee had to work extra hard. We probably need to find a way of performing scrutiny more regularly and in a much better way. The Report talks of outstanding imprest. I do not understand why this should happen because imprests have clear purposes, clear timeliness and are given to people who are salaried. So, if they fail to surrender it, it is clear that, within a given time, it should be recovered from their salaries. Why should it take so long to recover imprest from the culprits? There are cases where some people even leave employment while still holding imprest. That is simply negligence. We need to be stricter with auditing. I end by saying that all these things keep recurring because of lack of implementation of recommendations. Firm action should be taken against the culprits. There should be clear indication on what should be done if somebody is caught in such a mess. The matter should be forwarded and the culprits prosecuted. Let there be recovery at any cost, even if it means attaching the properties of board members and the CEO for as long as the law allows. I support the Report as amended."
}