Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 246611,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/246611/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 31,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kimunya",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Finance",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. Under the transport sub-sector, we expect the concessioning of Kenya Railways services to improve railway transport and facilitate faster movement of cargo through the port of Mombasa. Similarly, we will continue with our efforts to modernize the Mombasa port including introducing private sector participation in the port container terminal operations. Furthermore, to improve the competitiveness of our port, we will initiate work on dredging the channel in order to accommodate large modern vessels. We welcome development partners who want to partner with us on this initiative. Plans to set up a free port in Mombasa will be hastened with arrangments to offer tax incentives to facilitate its establishment. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on air transport, current efforts to modernize Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) will continue and further upgrading and modernization of most airstrips in the country will be undertaken to improve air safety. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on Information Communication and Technology (ICT), our country needs to do a lot more to reap the full benefits of ICT advancement. These benefits include reduced costs 1410 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES June 15, 2006 increased productivity and increased employment of our people. In this regard, our framework for improving ICT involves continuing to create an enabling environment for private sector participation, including through further liberalisation of the sector and by investing heavily in E- Government initiative mainly to boost the current strong growth in the sector. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government will in particular facilitate training, ICT research and development and promote value addition services including incubators, tele-centres among others. To encourage rapid growth and create employment opportunity for our youth through sourcing back-office jobs abroad, I will be proposing further tax incentives targeted at strengthening Kenya's position as the regional leader in ICT. Mr. Speaker, Sir, on the vulnerable marginalised groups and the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) areas, the recent drought has highlighted the need for a stronger response to the vulnerability of our people who live in the marginal areas. The Government is now taking steps to reduce such vulnerabilities on a sustained basis. Although we have a credible early drought warning system, its linkage to an early rapid response has been impaired by lack of funds. Accordingly, the Government in collaboration with development partners, has established a National Drought Contingency Fund to facilitate flexible, appropriate and quick responses to drought emergencies."
}