HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 47009,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/47009/?format=api",
"text_counter": 307,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Minister",
"speaker": {
"id": 195,
"legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
"slug": "raila-odinga"
},
"content": "A lot of the materials that are contained in this Report are already in the public knowledge. It is also material which has previously been discussed on the Floor of this House. For a long time, we have been talking about revamping the sugar industry and making the sugarcane farmer happier, so that we can continue to expand the production of sugarcane. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, we know that our annual sugar consumption is now just over 600,000 tonnes, and our production capacity is just about 400,000 tonnes. Therefore, we have to import, on an annual basis, 200,000 tonnes of sugar in order to meet the demand of our people. We have been talking about making this country self-sufficient in sugar production, and have a surplus for export. Little has happened in those other years but now, steps have been taken to see that we expand our sugar production capacity, so that we can meet our demand. The revival of Ramisi Sugar Factory is one case in point. I have been saying, time and again, that we must move away from controls, which have pushed us to where we are, and open up this economy, so that we can invite more investment not only in the sugar sector, but also in other sectors as well. There were times when we did not have the capacity, locally, to venture into some of these areas. Particularly, we did not have a strong private sector at that time. That is the reason as to why the Government moved into some areas such as sugarcane production. Sometimes, the Government moved in directly or through joint venture arrangements with some foreigners. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, our economy has come of age. I must admit that we now have a sizeable private sector in our country, and our people are willing to invest. So, when we talk about divesting from this, we must be very open about it. There are no two ways about it. Let us agree that we are going to pull the Government out of this sector. We have the Privatisation Commission, which has already come up with clear modalities on how to privatise. I want to inform the House that the Government cannot move, because the Parliamentary Committee that is supposed to clear this, in accordance with the Privatisation Act, has not convened a meeting, so that this document can be discussed. There are so many private sector companies which are knocking on our doors, because they want to invest in the sugar factories. They want to revamp them, but the Government is being held hostage by a Committee of this House, which has refused to convene meetings, so that they can give permission for the Government to move and have these"
}