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{
    "id": 474736,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/474736/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 639,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Onyura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 12833,
        "legal_name": "Michael Aringo Onyura",
        "slug": "michael-aringo-onyura"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, I think it is very important that a very important sector like that of mining is properly regulated so that there is order, predictability and those who wish to invest would know which laws apply. I hope that in this sector, through this kind of regulation and the provision of this Bill, prospecting of mines is going to be encouraged everywhere. I want to believe that our country has a lot of mineral wealth all over its regions. What we need to do is to create an environment that encourages prospecting and investors. I have noticed, even in the county that I come from, we have hills like the Murende and Odiado Hills in Busia County. Even our grandfathers were mining iron ore and I want to believe that these kinds of minerals must be a lot in that area; just waiting to be discovered and exploited. Also, with this kind of regulation, it is likely to ensure that the local community and the country as a whole benefit from this sector. In doing this, we must be careful of land and mine grabbers, profiteers and wananchi must be properly informed. They should be made aware about the rampant operations of some conmen. I know of many people who have come to a lot grief through conmen who cheat them that they are able to sell them certain precious minerals like gold or diamond. Sometimes, we used to hear about things like uranium and mercury. Many people have suffered through the hands of such conmen.Regulations, Bills or laws like these should take care of these kinds of situations, so that our people do not necessarily fall into wrong hands and lose their lives savings. The sad thing about our country is that our problem is not lack of laws, but usually the enforcement. We pass some very good laws here, but the enforcement is poor. I hope that with this, the Commission and the bodies that will be charged with the responsibility of enforcing laws will do a good job. If there are any loopholes, they should be quickly sealed, so that we do not get into the kind of situations where we have been into, even as a country, where some profiteers and conmen start selling air and papers in form of these minerals. We know what has happened to us in the past. So, the issue of enforcement is important. One thing that also needs to be taken care of here is the question of corruption. We may have very good laws, but unless the enforcement is also effective, it will not be able to serve us the way we would want. I also noticed that going through this, there appears to be a lot of powers given to the Cabinet Secretary. That may not be quite in the spirit of devolution. We should avoid concentrating powers in the hands of a particular centre or one person. It is, therefore, important that where certain powers are to be exercised, they are better exercised by perhaps a Commission or a board rather than concentrating such immense powers in the hands of one person. This can lead to abuse and also corruption. I would also suggest that the revenue coming from the mining sector, particularly be ring fenced. A substantial portion of the revenue should be ring fenced to be used in long-term projects that internally stimulate the economy. I have in mind projects like the infrastructure, roads, energy, electricity and water. These are long-term projects that would benefit this country. This is because minerals as we know are exhaustible and it would be good that for posterity sake, those who come before us can see that those who The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}