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{
    "id": 473419,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/473419/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 382,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Wandayi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2960,
        "legal_name": "James Opiyo Wandayi",
        "slug": "james-opiyo-wandayi"
    },
    "content": "in place mechanisms to provide incentives to those investors who are able to put in their money to extract these minerals from the soil. Therefore, the Government’s role in this process is basically to provide an enabling environment for the foreign investors who have the capital to invest in this industry for us to benefit from the minerals. Otherwise, if we put impediments on the path of the foreign investors, we shall end up with minerals under the soil without benefiting from them. That is why I was really taken aback when I saw the Cabinet Secretary attempting to put serous road blocks through the legislative proposal on the path of potential investors. In the past, most of the powers have been vested in the Office of the Commissioner of Mines which, you are aware, have been grossly abused. In the original form, the Bill attempted to transfer those powers to the Cabinet Secretary. Really, this was a game of musical chairs; trying to transfer powers from one office to the other without creating the reforms that are necessary to enable this industry to grow. I am happy that the Committee has taken note of this and therefore, has proposed a lot of amendments that will enable the industry to run in a manner that is transparent and democratic through which powers are shared in form of committees and tribunals. A lot has been said about this, but it must be stressed that it is criminal for a few investors and officers in Government to benefit from natural resources, at the expense of communities who host these resources. Therefore this Bill, plus the recommendations of the Committee is going to address this grave anomaly in terms of empowering the communities to benefit through revenue sharing and royalties. A lot has been talked about in terms of corporate social responsibility. I want to encourage my fellow Members---"
}