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{
    "id": 745067,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/745067/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 93,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Maanzo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2197,
        "legal_name": "Daniel Kitonga Maanzo",
        "slug": "daniel-kitonga-maanzo"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me a chance to comment on these very important amendments. On the matter of independents, currently, it has happened because of an accident of the law. There are gaps within the law which do not recognise independents as they are known in the Constitution. But looking at the experience in other jurisdictions like Zambia and Malawi - countries which have many independent Members of Parliament ranging above 50 - it is something we need to begin thinking about in future. We need to put in the Constitution or make a law such that it is quite clear who is an independent Member of the Assembly. That is something to think about in the future. Generally, it is always good to revise the Standing Orders so that in every experience we go through, we are able to know where the gaps are in the law. It will make Houses run more efficiently so that, at times, we do not have to go to Standing Order No.1 for everything or leave certain matters not hinged on the law. I have looked at the new amendments, especially the ones on broadcast. But most important, what happens to petitions when they are referred to the Committee on Implementation? We have presented many petitions here, but the results have never been seen. What can we do to make the Committee on Implementation have teeth which can bite? Currently, it is more of a toothless bulldog which is unable to bite. Also, what happens to motions? We pass many Motions here. Are they ever implemented to make sure that the petitioners or movers of those Motions serve the public? All that has been missing. It is good to make it better. There is a new expected Committee on Members’ Services and Facilities. There are facilities in this Parliament, including a church, which have never been utilised. At least, the Muslims utilise the mosque. I do not know whether Members are aware that there is a church in this Parliament which has never been utilised. Probably, we need to think of that in future when we have a Committee in place to deal with it. For removal of members of commissions, that particular process is an improvement. Finally, when we deliberate on reducing the number of Members of a Committee from 29 to any other number, we need to be aware of the fact that this House has many Members of Parliament. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}