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{
    "id": 418193,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/418193/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 98,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Ndiema",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1067,
        "legal_name": "Henry Tiole Ndiema",
        "slug": "henry-tiole-ndiema"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I start by joining in thanking the Committee for the good work done. Listening to the debate on this issue, there have been very good contributions. I believe the Committee is taking notes to enrich the report. Ports everywhere in the world have the potential of growing economies, creating wealth and employment. There are countries which could not be states if they had no ports. You cannot talk about Dubai, Singapore and Amsterdam without the ports. The Port of Mombasa has the potential to double the growth of our economy. If we harness the port effectively, do the necessary plans and invest prudently we will able to create jobs for the people of Kenya. We will do away with unemployment in this country, particularly in Mombasa County. If we seriously take the issue of employment of the youth then we have to look at the port. The agricultural sector, which we have depended on for a long time has a limit to which we can extend. But there is a potential in the East African region. We are very well placed and, indeed, in the African region and the world. Foreigners see it; sometimes we do not seem to see it. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, the area we really need to look at is to see how to make the port handle big ships. Not only that, there are other economic activities that go along way with ports; for instance, a duty free port. This is an idea that has been discussed in the past. I remember in the 1990s, it was almost getting off. We do not understand why this step has not been taken. A duty free port means that any importer can bring his goods there provided they are not contraband and store them there without paying duty. He will wait for customers within this region or within the country to go and buy them. It is a cost effective way of warehousing. Currently, there are numerous bonded warehouses in the country. Administratively, they are very expensive to run for the Customs Department. They are even very difficult to police. Sometimes we have had incidents where warehouses have been used to smuggle goods because they are scattered all over. We have heard of sugar, drugs and other items leaving the port and being stored in warehouses. A free port will be in a single location which could be easily policed. There is a sight which has already been identified at Dongo Kundu. I believe it is still available. If we fast track that process then we stand to benefit. In terms of procurement of goods for the Government, these goods have to be imported through Mombasa. If there was a warehouse in Mombasa, the length of delivery would be shortened and the works would progress without delay. It is high time that we revisited The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}