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    "id": 491290,
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    "content": "proper support from the Government to have adequate and sufficient access to the gold that they have in Migori. It goes without saying that there is gold in Ikolomani. It is on record and people must understand that the Roosterman that started this exercise in 1935 stopped in 1952 not because there was no gold but because of the emergence of the Mau Mau. The “white” man was not comfortable to continue prospecting gold which was a high value mineral and so they thought they would be killed by the freedom fighters. Members would want to know that we had a serious group of Mau Mau fighters in Bungoma at a place called Chitambe and therefore the “whites” took off. If the Government moves in, it will be able to revive this exercise and people will realize their potential. Madam Temporary Speaker, in Kakamega, we also have the only remaining huge tropical forest in Africa called the Kakamega Forest which has serious tourist potential. There are other natural tourist sites like the famous crying stone; Ikhonga Murwi of Kakamega, we have natural cultural activities that are very conducive to tourism and these are serious sources of wealth. Not forgetting the scenic Nabongo Kingdom of Mumias where if properly harnessed by the Government, it would attract millions of dollars on an annual basis. Having said that, allow me to congratulate the Committee for moving on and coming up with a draft Bill. I have gone through the draft Bill and I have every reason to congratulate the Committee because this is serious business. I want to make a small critique of the draft Bill if the Chairperson does not mind because the purpose of debate is to enrich. When I look at the draft Bill, I notice that when you go to Clause 4 which is classifying what you call “natural resources”, you have named petroleum, natural gas, minerals forests, water resources, wildlife and fishery resources. In my mind, I felt that one of the greatest resources that any county has everywhere in the world is tourist attraction sites and we must include them. In fact, the tourism that we see in places like Great Britain is because of the attraction sites. This is why I would like this to be considered when we are doing the final Bill and add tourist attraction sites and cultural centres. Madam Temporary Speaker, if you move on and go to Part II on Natural Resources, Royalties and Fees Fund, I have no problem with that, but Part III which speaks to the collection of royalties and fees. I want to agree with what you have said about imposition of royalties and fees. However, I want to highlight the fact that it is the failure to impose legalized royalties that has failed to develop many African countries especially in the oil producing and export countries of Africa, mainly West Africa. I would urge the Committee to find time and money to go and visit one of the OPEC countries of West Africa and then move on and visit Qatar. They both produce and export oil, but when you see what is in Qatar, you can cry because it is a super country for no other reason other than they produce and export oil. West African countries produce and export the same resources, but the levels of poverty there are not acceptable. This is 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."
}