25 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
Lastly, and this is my view of it, reservations are mere concerns and Parliament being the only organ of Government with the authority to make provisions, I request that we detach ourselves from politics over these issues because ultimately, it is for all for us.
view
25 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.
view
25 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Dr. Shaban has spoken in---
view
25 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
On a point of order, Hon. Deputy Speaker.
view
25 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I am rising to request for the House’s interpretation of Article 223(5) of the Constitution. I thought we would just be debating the Supplementary Budget as a lawful issue, but I am concerned that there is a fundamental constitutional issue that we need to dispense with before we proceed any further. Article 223(5) says that: “In any particular financial year, the national government may not spend under this Article more than ten per cent of the sum appropriated by Parliament for that financial year unless, in special circumstances, Parliament has approved a higher percentage.” The ...
view
25 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
The literal interpretation in law, and I beg my colleagues including the Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee to listen, is that the national Government may in fact spend money that has not been appropriated without prior approval of Parliament, but only up to 10 per cent of the appropriated amount. Going beyond 10 per cent requires prior approval. Without saying that we want to deny the Government Supplementary Budget and continuation of these programmes, could there be a distinction coming from the Chairperson of the Committee in terms of what falls within the 10 per cent as having ...
view
23 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman. Is it in order for the House to proceed, knowing that we are wasting time doing nothing? If it is really the case that there is nothing we can do in terms of amending what the President has referred to this House, through the particular Communication from the Chair – which I personally disagree with, as a lawyer – then, considering the business before us is really wasting time. I am concerned because you are presiding over a process that is wasting public time and resources, and doing nothing.
view
23 Jun 2015 in National Assembly:
On a point of order, Hon. Temporary Deputy Chairman. Is it in order for the House to proceed, knowing that we are wasting time doing nothing? If it is really the case that there is nothing we can do in terms of amending what the President has referred to this House, through the particular Communication from the Chair – which I personally disagree with, as a lawyer – then, considering the business before us is really wasting time. I am concerned because you are presiding over a process that is wasting public time and resources, and doing nothing.
view
27 May 2015 in National Assembly:
Hon. Speaker, I have not been of my full health. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address this matter. I am actually not agitated. I am in some physical pain. The budgeting function and oversight over Budget is a function of Parliament through the various constitutional provisions, running from Article 93 down to Article 96 of our Constitution. The issue that has been raised is very important. In fact, the first thing we want to question is the role of Departmental Committees, if any, in the budgeting process. I beg that in your Communication to the House, this ...
view
30 Apr 2015 in National Assembly:
Thank you, hon. Deputy Speaker. I stand to give a very cautious support to the Report of this Public Investments Committee (PIC). I do this because I have had to interact with Zakhem International Construction Limited in various arbitrations in my other life as a lawyer. I am worried when it is indicated in the Report that Zakhem International Construction Limited was awarded that tender despite having not presented a bid bond from a local bank. Zakhem International Construction Limited is The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can ...
view