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{
    "id": 1446520,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1446520/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 139,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to make my contribution to the Local Content Bill (Senate Bills No.50 of 2023). This Bill is very critical and long overdue because we need to have a clear framework to facilitate the process of local ownership, control, and financing of activities related to exploitation of minerals. This is a very important Bill. As the Member who has been on the Floor has said, we will be seeking to improve it further so that we ensure it serves the local communities and all the stakeholders. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I am speaking to this Bill, tomorrow my county will be launching the granite factory at a place called Buyangu. It is a partnership between the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs and an investor. This Bill comes at a very appropriate time that this project is now being officially launched. This project has been on for several years. I thank the Governor of Vihiga County, Hon. (Dr.) Ottichilo, for having played a big role in ensuring that this project takes off, from the days when he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Emuhaya Constituency. The project is going to be launched tomorrow. While I appreciate that this project is going to employ thousands of our people and also improve the economic position of our people, especially in Emuhaya and Luanda constituencies, I have had an engagement with the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs on this issue. There are grey areas, which I hope the Ministry is going to address. When we have a situation where a county government engages an investor and the national Government. t is important that Article 187 of the Constitution has to be complied with so that the interests of the county government, the interests of the national Government and the interests of the investor are captured. When we have a situation where a county government gives land for the project, and then ends up not having any agreement with the investor and the national Government, I find that to be not in order. I have raised a concern because the people of West Bunyore gave their land through the county government, and then the national Government took over the land for this project, which is fine. However, the people need to be compensated for their land, or at least, we need to have an agreement as per Article 187 so that the community benefits from that arrangement. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}