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{
    "id": 1446604,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1446604/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 223,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kisang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The national Government must compensate people where resources are found. County governments should give licenses without too many conditions. We know that because of corruption, some counties frustrate investors. The national Government should also do its part by ensuring that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are done properly. Sen. Mungatana talked about something very important. After exploration and the investor has gone away, most of them leave those areas just like that. We need to put a clause in this law that ensures the environment is restored back to how it was in the beginning, if it is possible. They should find some soil elsewhere and restore. Madam Temporary Speaker, you have seen dams created in some areas during rainy seasons. It is not because there was a dam, but people went and dug a quarry such as the one in Embakasi, which fills up with water when it rains. Eventually, it becomes a place for criminals to do their activities. Therefore, the national Government and county governments and local communities must ensure those things are done. We will have the local content development committee. It is important for Members to know that this is a committee at the national level and not at the community level. That is why we are putting requirements for the chairperson and members of the committee. This is where we need skilled people to give a plan and monitor, and ensure that investors comply. It is unfortunate that because of the State Department for Petroleum, the people of Turkana are still waiting to benefit from Lokichar oil. Up to now, they have not released the field development plan for Lokichar, so that they can start transporting and exporting oil. If we had a local content development committee, they would have been put to task. That is why we are saying it is important to have it in place. They should report to Parliament regularly on what they are doing. So, this is an important committee that will help both the communities, investors and also the national Government. We have also talked about transfer of knowledge and skills. I know some Members had an issue with Clause 28 because it states that they need to employ from the community. If we do not put it in law, investors will come and exploit our people. If we have the opportunity when we are doing the law, we need to tighten it. This will not discourage investors. An investor can come and say that they will choose a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Director of Finance, but get the others who should be from the local community. In fact, it will be cheaper for investors if they get locals. That one is also important. We have also talked about local content plans. Sometimes there are people who get licenses to explore, but take years before they start doing developments maybe due to lack of resources. So, we need to ensure that every year, they give us a plan on what they are going to do, so that we do not just allocate a block to an investor and they sleep or speculate on it. This is also important and it should be followed closely. Madam Temporary Speaker, we have listened as a committee. I believe when my Chairperson will be replying, he will ensure that Members’ concerns are taken into account. 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."
}