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{
    "id": 595329,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/595329/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 331,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Barua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1529,
        "legal_name": "Ejidius Njogu Barua",
        "slug": "ejidius-njogu-barua"
    },
    "content": "I would also like to touch on one or two issues regarding distribution of wealth, or income, generated from petroleum business and exploitation. I will as well as highlight on how the environment has been totally destroyed in other parts of the world. I would like to comment on the local content. I am happy to note that the Bill recognises the issue of local content. Without local content, we cannot claim ownership of these products - what the Leader of the Minority Party called “hydrocarbons”. If local content is considered, Kenyans will benefit and participate fully in the production, manufacture and enjoying the benefits. In terms of local content, the Bill provides that contractors dealing with petroleum products in Kenya must comply with the local content requirement. This local content requirement includes employment opportunities for people to serve in these corporations, as well as using local commodities and services. I am happy to note that the Bill gives priority to goods and services available locally, as long as they meet the acceptable standards such as those set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS). There has been a trend of exporting capital where a majority of Kenyans contend with the use of imported products like timber or anything from other sectors to replace what can be manufactured locally. This Bill recognizes that if services are available locally, they are supposed to be used by the contractors. Locally available goods should be acceptable, be used and be given priority. As long these products and services meet the requirements and the standards of the KBS, or any other globally acceptable standards, they should be used. This means our local materials and services are going to be utilized both at low calibre level and also at the highest professional jobs. It has been a trend over time that when investors invest in this country, we fight for the low end jobs. This Bill recognises that, if you have professionals who are capable of doing jobs that need expertise, they should be given priority. This means that our professionals will serve their own nation, to which they are patriotic and at the same time reduce the level of unemployment. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the other issue is technology transfer. It is very important that when investors invest in this country, they should transfer some capacity to the local people. This will ensure that that capacity is used by the local people for future investment. The aspect of technology transfer will ensure that Kenyans get the skills from expatriates and use them to compete favourably and invest in this important sector. I am happy to note that research and development is given priority in this Bill. I propose that this research should cover various areas, all the way from environment, technology, social, and otherwise. If you look at Nigeria and some other countries that have been exploiting oil for some time--- Oil and petroleum in particular have proved to be like a curse. We have information and evidence that some time ago, Ken Saro-Wiwa was hanged in Nigeria for fighting for people’s rights, environmental protection, and trying to make corporations accountable to the people. This was in relation to Shell BP, which was polluting the environment in Nigeria. It is my hope that when this centre for research is inaugurated, it, in collaborated with the other locally available research and academic institutions--- We will give priority to the research on environmental degradation caused by petroleum. This is because petroleum products are not biodegradable. When they enter into the water streams, they cause a lot of destruction. When 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."
}