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{
    "id": 920385,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/920385/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 329,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Halake",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13184,
        "legal_name": "Abshiro Soka Halake",
        "slug": "abshiro-soka-halake"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, the tax collection incentives and opportunities for other things is very high in own-source revenue collection points. The fact that this amendment proposes a performance-based revenue collection system, where if a county does not collect revenue within two years of the passing of these amendments, then there will be sanctions and consequences for not achieving the target. As we speak, counties are setting such low targets and not achieving them as well. Setting the low target is meant to subvert the idea that they need to work hard to achieve it. At the same time, the low targets have not been met. Madam Temporary Speaker, since 2016, only two counties have consistently met their targets. In 2018 only four counties had achieved the targets. When we look at the targets of those counties, they were so minimal and you are left to wonder whether those counties are setting such low targets so that they do not have to work too hard. I like the fact that in this Bill, Sen. (Dr.) Zani has proposed a performance-based system that will then make sure that if counties do meet their targets, they do not receive their share of revenue from the national Treasury. That way, we now have reasons for counties to work hard on their own-source revenues. As it has been said, the way to be sustainable is to have counties be a government. Governments are not departments that receive money from the headquarters; therefore, they should generate money and get taxes. Article 209 has given counties the ability to do just that. It is, therefore, about time for counties to step up and become real governments that collect taxes. They should then use those taxes to serve their people wisely, and not wait as if they are departments of some multinationals who wait for the headquarters to send them money. I am happy that this Bill by Sen. (Dr.) Zani will see to it that there will be a performance-based financing on what is generated. Therefore, that will ensure that we manage the risk of counties grounding to a standstill, as they do now. The minute no money is coming forth, the counties come to a standstill. What happened to them getting their own resources and using it for the buffer times when there are delays? Madam Temporary Speaker, many of our colleagues are waiting, and time is not on our side. I support this Bill and congratulate Sen. (Dr.) Zani for always looking at what would really strengthen and deepen devolution. This is precisely what will do that by making our counties more sustainable."
}