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{
    "id": 996109,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/996109/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 900,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kitui Central, WDM–K",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Makali Mulu",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1955,
        "legal_name": "Benson Makali Mulu",
        "slug": "benson-makali-mulu"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Today I am at this corner of this House and, as you have said, with these masks on, you cannot see people from far. Actually, you cannot recognise them. I want to add my voice to this debate. First of all, I thank the Committee for these proposed names. After we pass these names, they will be gazetted. However, I want to make some observations. I agree with the Chair when he said that there are many cases related to the NG-CDF in the courts. At times it becomes tricky when you start saying some of these things publicly. At the end of the day, we have to think about the timing. It takes quite a lot of time for these cases to be concluded. The more time it takes, the more Members are inconvenienced in overseeing implementation of the NG-CDF. As we pass these names--- as you know, Hon. Members share experiences. We are patrons, but we have realised that once some of the board members get gazetted, they assume the role of MPs. They give Members a lot of problems. Once they are gazetted, it becomes tricky to remove them. As we gazette them, they need to note that – some of them are watching what we are doing – at the end of the day, the patron of the NG-CDF in any constituency remains the dully elected MP. So, they should work knowing that. There should be consultations between the board and the patron, so that things move smoothly. Secondly, I agree with Hon. Kaluma. He talked about the issue of implementation of projects and our relationship with people who approve the plans and oversee the implementation. Hon. Chairman, it is important for you and your Committee – I know you visit constituencies – to do something in terms of changing the structure. You have allowed boards to hire civil engineers; I do not see why we should not do something to allow our civil engineers who have been hired to do the final authorisation and certification of work. The other point which is important, is the issue of the District Accountant. I do not know the experience of other Members. In my constituency, when the District Accountant goes on leave, the law is so strict that not even his deputy can sign anything. So, at times the accountant can be away for two or three weeks and nothing will happen because you cannot process any payment. As we move to the future, because the NG-CDF is important to this county, it will be important if the board starts thinking about allowing the NG-CDF boards to process payments at that level. At the end of the day, the Auditor-General does all the auditing like he does for the central The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}