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{
    "id": 812074,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/812074/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 164,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, members of the public have a problem of understanding what public participation entails. So, I would suggest that as we go down to actualize the Public Participation Bill (Senate Bill No.4 of 2018) and as we formulate the regulations and the guidelines, we should consider sensitization of the people so that they do not say they did not participate because they were not facilitated or given bus fare yet, the public participation is about them. It is about their rights given by the Constitution. It is like you are coming to a table where there is food for you, but you are asking: “How do I come to eat that food?” That is too much for the public to ask of public participation. Therefore, there should be some sensitization for them to sit round the table where these budgets are being done and give their views. It is for them to sit on these committees of Parliament when we call for public participation for their views to be heard on how to improve on the very laws that touch on their lives. I would suggest that as we formulate these guidelines let us look at the bit of sensitization of the people, so that they know that this is a right given to them by the Constitution. Further, they also have a right to speak directly without necessarily being facilitated to public participation. In addition, there is the issue of people not attending public participation meetings even when they are called to these barazas . Personally, I have attended some activities where we expected the public to come, but no one came to give their views. So, there must be a way we have to guide against abuse of people coming to say that there was no public participation and, therefore, holding committees or bodies at ransom and shutting down their businesses. Therefore, by laying out these guidelines, it would help us to show that we called for public participation and laid out the necessary the structures. When you do not turn up for public participation, you cannot turn around and say: This committee did not do its work because there was no public participation as long we are able to show that there was that infrastructure for people to turn out for public participation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the principles as laid out by this Act will ensure that all these issues that we are raising can be addressed. Further, even as we debate on this Bill, we would want to hear what the public is saying about this Bill. How do they improve it so that it serves the intended intentions of public participation?"
}