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{
    "id": 102898,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/102898/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 41,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "construction of the Voi-Taveta Road in order to open the area for commerce and trade and in, particular, to make it easier for our good neighbours in northern Tanzania to transport their imports and exports through the Port of Mombasa. It also includes Kshs4.2 billion for roads to open up Isiolo as one of the Vision 2030 resort cities in northern Kenya, and link our country with Ethiopia with a bituminous road. Recognizing the need to ensure our roads remain in motorable conditions to facilitate trade and commerce and expand economic opportunities, I have further allocated Kshs23.5 billion for road maintenance. This is a significant budgetary provision that should have a visible impact on road maintenance to ensure our roads are improved to motorable condition. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with regard to energy, we aim to lock in our economy into a higher growth path. To do this, we must also strive to provide adequate energy to meet the demand arising from expanded production and economic activities. Our medium to long term strategy is to focus on secure least cost and clean energy development, underpinned by diversification to renewable affordable sources and improved efficiency in transmission systems. While the ongoing rains have improved the hydro conditions and hence reduced the cost of overall power by about 40 per cent since last September 2009, the Government remains fully committed to expanding investments in cheaper and reliable energy sources as the only way to assure affordable power. The Government, is however, aware that as we strive to do this, there is, indeed, need to provide a predictable energy framework that enables our manufacturers to plan forward. There is, therefore, urgent need for the Government and all stakeholders to work together to ensure we contain the volatility in the cost of energy. Indeed, in the event that energy costs rise significantly going forward, the Government will work with the business community and other stakeholders to ensure that the cost of energy does not reach unaffordable levels. In addition, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will review the current formula for determining electricity tariffs with a view of making investment in the cost of power more predictable. The Government is also aware that there are many private investors who are keen to invest in the energy sector and, especially, in alternative and cheaper sources such as geothermal, wind, solar and other renewable sources. However, there are concerns that the procedures take too long. But this should never be allowed to happen because availability of affordable energy is a matter of national priority. In this regard, the Treasury commits to support the Ministry of Energy to ensure that we remove all procedural and licensing impediments, so that private investment in the energy sector can be fast-tracked."
}