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"id": 102902,
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"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, inefficient port services have continued to hold our economy back from exploiting its full potential. For instance, delays due to lack of investment in the Port of Mombasa and its operational inefficiencies add substantially to costs which feed through the supply chain, thereby undermining our competitiveness. The Government, however, recognizes that related storage and mass freight infrastructure also requires to be addressed, as well as customs and inspection procedures. The Government remains fully committed to addressing these challenges and making our port system efficient. Working closely with stakeholders, the Government will accelerate the implementation of a Single Window Port Community-based system to facilitate faster, efficient and competitive clearance of cargo. This and other reforms, including dredging of the port to enable larger vessels to dock, are expected to position Mombasa as a preferred port of call and a regional service hub. In addition, to facilitate faster cargo off-take at the port and mass freight transport, the Government has initiated the design of a Standard-Gauge Double line railway from Mombasa to Malaba. We expect the designs to be ready during the last quarter of 2010-11 and the Government shall immediately embark of construction of this important railway. The implementation of this project will be fast-tracked to accord Kenya and, indeed, our neighbours the earliest opportunity to enjoy cheaper, safer and faster alternative mode of transport. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are not just addressing transport along our highways, we are also concerned about the high economic loses associated with traffic jams in our urban centres, in addition to heavy financial burden our poor and middle income urban communities have to bear on a daily basis. As hon. Members will recall, while presenting my Budget last year, I indicated that the Government was in the process of contracting a consultancy firm to conduct a feasibility study, design and develop a project proposal for the upgrade of the Nairobi commuter railway system. I am, indeed, happy to inform hon. Members that we now have the design and during the Supplementary Budget, I allocated Kshs600 million to initiate the process of upgrading key commuter backbone railway lines in Nairobi. I have in this Budget allocated another Kshs1.9 billion towards this important investment. When completed in the fourth quarter of 2010/11, this project will significantly provide relief, reduce cost of transport and traffic jams to airport commuters and passengers currently using the Mombasa Road and Jogoo Road, further enhancing our human capital for faster development. Mr. Speaker, Sir, our human resource development priorities over the medium- term include: (i) Enhancing access, equity, quality and relevance of education at all Levels; (ii) Ensuring equitable access to medical, public health and sanitation services, with a focus on maternal and child health care as well as health infrastructure; and (iii)Strengthening linkages between industry and research institutions to promote demand driven research and training. Furthering and improving access to quality education to secure the future of our children: Our Government has always recognized that an educated labour force is critical to enhancing productivity and, therefore, our competitiveness. This is more so in todayâs globalized and technology-driven world. Indeed, as a country, we have invested a lot in education, leading to substantial improvement in access, especially to primary as well as secondary education. Despite our successes, we recognize that we"
}