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{
    "id": 813353,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/813353/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 97,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, all the comments made by all the Senators, for example, Sen. (Eng.) Hargura, explained the importance of this Bill. The fact that you are given benefits, even though you do not agree with the current Government, that should not be the reason why your benefits should be altered, yet it is written within the law. The challenge that I saw in this Bill earlier on is that the Act of Parliament as it was passed in 2015 had a lot of loopholes. I agree with Sen. Sakaja that there might be additional amendments which are required to be brought on this Bill. The more I interrogated the Act of 2015, the more I realized something on the Office of the Chief Justice which is very important. There are certain benefits which we should consider including during the amendment stages. Mr. Speaker, Sir, when a Chief Justice retires, it is important that we value that office. I have looked at the First Schedule of the Act, and there are certain benefits which I do not think would cost us a lot of money if we can rely on the knowledge and experience that a former Chief Justice has. It is imperative, and I will be bringing some amendments to fully support an office of a retired Chief Justice which is still covered in the Act as it was in 2015. They can mentor our youth, even though we may not require them, supporting them and giving them an opportunity to take care of their well-being. It is important for us to think about what we gain from ensuring that we continue supporting their lives. Giving them an office and allowing a retired Chief Justice to be consulted in the event, for example, we want to amend the Constitution or change certain laws is something which is very important and supporting these people. There are so many people who are interested. I know governors were also very interested in the matter. There was an issue of the other Bill which was sponsored by Sen. Sakaja which was looking at the county governments. However, it is important for us to look at State officers and also reward them or actually continue appreciating the time that they served this country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one issue which was of concern to Sen. Sakaja had to do with Article 245 of the Constitution. It related to the issue of the Inspector-General, and particularly on the employment, assignment, promotion, suspension or dismissal of any member of the National Police Service (NPS). I will spend some more time with Sen. Sakaja to try to understand the issue. This Bill does not focus on the issues of suspension. It does not also focus on the issue of employment of the police officers; it focuses on the benefit aspect of it. I am willing to engage Sen. Sakaja for him to educate me further on this aspect where he saw that this Bill could be unconstitutional; looking at trying to change the powers of the Inspector-General as enshrined in the Constitution. If, indeed, we may need to change certain provisions of this Bill, I welcome and encourage more Members to look at the Act as it was. The most important thing is that the public ought to know that this Bill does not aim to increase the wage bill - It is very clear - it is sealing loopholes. It is also encouraging people to serve this country. This is because you know that after you serve this country no one has a right to alter your benefit. Even though you differ in your political opinion, that is what democracy is all about. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}