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    "id": 776949,
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    "content": "day we were told that we will get equipment, such as computers and other office equipment that we need in the course of this month. Therefore, these Commissioners whom we are supporting, are going there on our behalf. Those of us who are already here may have gone through those experiences which are not pleasing, but they should be our ambassadors. The nominated and elected Senators should be given equal opportunity and should be treated equally. There are many reasons as to why I am saying that. Members are not equally treated. They are not given the same opportunity yet when we sit here, we all carry the same title or honour. The other issue that I want to request the Commissioners to work on is with regard to mileage and all the other things that we have been talking about, especially for the nominated Senators. It is unfortunate that when one sometimes discusses these things, they are told that the elected Senators are given the opportunity but the nominated senators are not supposed to get it. This came from one of us, which is very unfortunate. Whereas information is power, we request the Commissioners not to divide us. I have said that even before. The other issue is with regard to staff who work here. A grown up is aware that people have different challenges and problems. There are those staff members in the Senate and National Assembly who are celebrating because they have progressed in their positions and their earnings. However, we have those who are not happy and they feel that they have not been given the same opportunity and attention. My prayer and request to the team is that they should look at the welfare of our staff. They should look at how they can be motivated. We should build their capacity for them to be equal with others so as not to feel intimidated in any way if they get the opportunity to visit other countries. The other issue of concern is with regard to staff that we came with. Many of us came with staff who were already professionals. These people were already qualified for different jobs and may have even been working elsewhere. However, when these people join Parliament, they are not given medical allowance and other benefits and yet they will be working for us or with us for the next five years and they also have families. There are other things that I do not want to mention because I believe our commissioners will be there on our behalf. The welfare of the people who support us should be taken care of. If they are not taken care of, they may engage in other activities and give us about 20 per cent of their time and not be effective. The commissioners should be there on our behalf because they are the mediators between us and the higher authority. We therefore, request them to help us. They should not let us demand for our rights by probably going to court or seeking appointments with other authority for our issues to be sorted. The other thing is their integrity and leadership. We have chosen them or we are supporting their nomination because we have a lot of faith in them. When they get there, they must make sure that they do not become bosses because commissioners are feared. Instead, let us get the opportunity to interact with them. They should allow us to reach them whatever time we need them for us to tell them our concerns. With those few remarks, I beg to support the Motion."
}