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{
    "id": 247129,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/247129/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 220,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Ethuro",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Planning and National Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 158,
        "legal_name": "Ekwee David Ethuro",
        "slug": "ekwee-ethuro"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir. I really do not have much to say, but I wanted to use this opportunity to affirm the spirit of the unity of the African people, which we are now exhibiting through the African Union (AU) and also giving that voice through the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). I think this continent requires more bonding than never before. If you look at the economic trends internationally, each of the continents are coming together. We are talking of the European Union (EU). Of course, you know the exploits and the achievements of the United States of America (USA), and it is only natural that we in Africa should be able to come together, if not for any other reason but for our own survival. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a continent that has registered some of the poorest countries in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs); that the people are still going hungry when we have big rivers like River Congo which can supply hydro-electric power to the rest of Africa and even to parts of Europe. The potential of Africa needs to be realised and this can only be realised when we have regional blocs that can come together in order to exploit our natural resources. However, you will realise that we have so many blocs when we should be looking forward to only one bloc. I want to believe that Kenyan Members of the PAP should be able to take that agenda forward so that we reduce the regional blocs that we have. We have a few that can manage and actually push our agenda. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, if you take Kenya in particular, we are in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC), and we cannot even be able to agree on a single currency so that our people can be able to move freely within the region. I want to say that this is one issue that is bothering us, particularly for those of us who come from the border areas. These artificial borders created by the colonialists without taking into consideration that our people cut across these boundaries is what is causing problems for us. With those few remarks, I support the Motion."
}