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{
    "id": 358250,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/358250/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 183,
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    "content": "mostly, the factories there deal with agricultural machinery. On average, they employ between 80 and 1,210 artisans, mostly welders. There has been a serious problem because they have been getting tax waivers on the inputs for machinery. They use 80 per cent of their inputs to manufacture agricultural machinery, which they export mostly within East Africa and even to the wider Africa. However, they have been subjected to a lot of torture and they are considering turning their factories into warehouses instead of manufacturing. When they import the completed agricultural machinery they get tax waivers, but when they import the parts that they cannot get in the country like the hydraulic pipes, springs that are used in disc hallows, ploughs and cedars, the taxman is adamant that these are imported as independent items. Now that we have a Cabinet Secretary in charge of that line, and we are talking about creating employment for our people, if the Ndume Factory is turned into a warehouse, only two people will be employed as salesmen and the rest, about 100 who have been employed there for many years, will have to go home. Coming back to the Motion, the benefits from wildlife cannot be overemphasized. But as we have observed, there is the problem of human/wildlife conflict. First of all, I would like to disagree with the hon. Member who has said that people poach out of poverty. The poachers of elephants and rhinos, you will all agree with me, are not doing it out of poverty. These are sophisticated rich people who have the right equipment like guns. As many hon. Members have said, I would like to recommend that we develop a friendly relationship between the neighbours of the national parks and the rangers, so that people can directly benefit in form of employment and cash and from projects, as an hon. Member has indicated. This will make people feel part of the wildlife. The rangers should be trained to deal with the encroachers in a humane way, for instance, the ones who graze and fetch firewood in the parks. The Government should also invest hugely in the protection of the national parks through fencing. We have seen this in the Aberdares, where they have done the rhino protection. Most of the conservancies are owned by foreigners and we should encourage our people to get involved in conservancies, so that they can gain directly from the people who visit the parks. Again, the Government should invest in technology and equipment. We need more versatile vehicles, helicopters and electronic gadgets to track the animals, so that if something odd happens to the herds, rangers can easily monitor them. With those remarks, I beg to support the Motion. I believe that when the Bill finds its way to this House, matters such as the necessary investments and good relationship will be given priority."
}