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{
    "id": 86932,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/86932/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 332,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Ojode",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Ministry, Ministry of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 197,
        "legal_name": "Joshua Orwa Ojode",
        "slug": "joshua-ojode"
    },
    "content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, a Statement was made here yesterday by the able Right Hon. Prime Minister with regard to the Constitution, and not particularly to what will happen to the Provincial Administration officers. I want to give a chronology of events. In 2005, when we had a referendum to vote for the draft Constitution, there was a proposal by the Bomas and by the Wako drafts that we would scrap and/or abolish the Provincial Administration. When we went for the referendum, the draft Constitution did not carry the day. We defeated those who were for “Yes”, and who wanted to scrap or abolish the Provincial Administration. When we went for the recent referendum, it was also suggested and put in the new Constitution under Article 17, Sixth Schedule--- For the benefit of my colleague, I would like to read that Article with regard to what it says, so as to make it clear. This Article is found on page 199 of the new Constitution and it reads as follows:- “Provincial Administration: Within five years after the effective date, the National Government shall restructure the system of administration commonly known as the Provincial Administration to accord with and respect the system of devolved Government established under this Constitution.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to say this; when you take a dictionary and look at the definition of the word “scrap” you will see that it means “to remove”. When you look again in the dictionary for the word “abolish” means, you will see that it means you abolish the law or the institution or dissolve. Mr. Speaker, Sir, when you go to the dictionary, you will find that the word “restructuring” means “re-organize”. So, it is upon us to know what we are talking about. We should leave politics aside. We are allowed to restructure, which in English means to re-organize. So, as far as I am concerned, we are going to restructure the Provincial Administration and it is there to stay. Because of the democratic right and space, you are allowed to interpret this particular Article the way you want it, but we must follow the law. In any case, if anybody wants to scrap or abolish, he or she is allowed to bring an amendment to this particular Article. I rest my case."
}