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{
    "id": 979861,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/979861/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 107,
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    "content": "Hon. Members, this would not present a conflict of oversight. With two or more Principal Secretaries assigned to designated State Departments, each would report to the relevant Committee charged with its oversight seamlessly. However, with only one Principal Secretary assigned all these functions, a conflict arises as to which Committee he or she would be required to answer to for purposes of efficiency and consistency in oversight. Hon. Members, A perusal of the Budget Policy Statement for the financial year 2020/2021 reveals that, with regard to the programmes of the Ministry, the programme of Irrigation and Land Reclamation and that of Water Harvesting and Storage are assigned to the Ministry’s single vote. This adds to the conundrum of the manner in which the Principal Secretary, as the Accounting Officer, would be required to make representations on the Ministry’s budget and other oversight matters before the two Committees of the House. Even though a split of the functions may be contemplated, requiring the Principal Secretary to continually “dove-tail” between the two Committees remains an untidy option as it exposes the officer to concurrent summons of the two Committees and may render the particular oversight function of the House to appear vague and inefficient. Hon. Members, The Standing Orders contemplated a scenario where a conflict of oversight would occur and the need for a process to resolve such conflict. Standing Order 217 establishes the Liaison Committee and mandates it to, and I quote— “ (f) determine, whenever necessary, the committee or committees to deliberate on any matter; and, (g) give such advice relating to the work and mandate of select committees as it may consider necessary.” In the present case, however, the ongoing consideration of the Budget Policy Statement is subject to timelines governed by the Constitution and the Standing Orders. The strict timelines necessitate an urgent resolution of the conflict highlighted by the Committee. It is with this in mind that, Hon. Members, I give the following guidance- The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}