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{
"id": 233418,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/233418/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Mungatana",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 185,
"legal_name": "Danson Buya Mungatana",
"slug": "danson-mungatana"
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"content": " Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to second the amendment that has been moved by the hon. Member who has just finished speaking. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would want to take this opportunity to also make my contribution on this Motion as amended. When the Ministry of Regional Development Authorities and the various organizations and development authorities, like the TARDA, the LBDA and the Coast Development Authority (CDA), were set up, the idea was to try to reach to those areas which 3850 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 22, 2006 had been left behind in terms of economic development, so that through these regional development authorities, they can be spurred economically to reach the levels of economic development that are experienced in other parts of the country. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the project by the LBDA in the Yala Swamp, through the Dominion Farms, should be supported by all Kenyans of goodwill. We want to give credit to many other people and, in particular, to the area Member of Parliament, hon. Weya, for being consistent in following up these projects. While serving in the Ministry of Regional Development Authorities, we did have the opportunity during those difficult times to try and push for this project to succeed. I am personally absolutely delighted to hear from the hon. Member that this project has taken off, that some food security is being felt and that already, the poverty level has come down to 60 per cent from 85 per cent. That is the way that we need to move this country. Therefore, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the amendment that says that, that Report needs to be laid on the Table of the House within six months. As it has already been indicated before, the technical committee has already been formed. It is in the same spirit, as the Mover of the Motion noted, that the fight for food security in this country is not only restricted to those areas where they have had good success in the Yala Swamp. In the Tana Delta, we are also struggling to improve food security. We want to support the efforts that have so far been put by the TARDA, which is working under the Ministry of Regional Development Authorities. Personally, I want to thank the Minister, Permanent Secretary and also the leadership in the TARDA. We need to support the rice irrigation project there. Just as flooding affects the Yala Swamp, it does affect the delta of Tana River. It is a very happy moment for me to hear that controls have been put in the movement of waters in the region. The rice irrigation project that was funded by the Japanese Government was functioning well until the El Nino rains came and swept it away. Also, as the Ministry continues to support the Yala Swamp project, it should support the TARDA in the rice irrigation project in the Tana delta region. I also urge the Ministry of Regional Development Authorities, through the TARDA, to hasten the implementation of the sugar irrigation in the Tana delta. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we should fully support this Motion. We all need to know that when it comes to fighting for the security of this country as far as food and other issues are concerned, the motherland is supreme. In fact, there should not be much debate. We should pass this Motion as soon as possible. With those few remarks, I beg to second."
}