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{
    "id": 661508,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/661508/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 397,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. J.K. Chege",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2129,
        "legal_name": "John Kiragu Chege",
        "slug": "john-kiragu-chege"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I support the Motion for approval of financing for the development of the Second Container Terminal, Phase II. I happen to have come from Japan last week where I had a chance to visit the Port of Yokohama. The Japanese have reclaimed the sea to add to their capacity within the port. I also visited Dubai, where I saw what they are doing to their port. The effort of developing the Port of Mombasa has been systematic. We have been dredging the Port of Mombasa to enable bigger ships dock there. We know that we have two railways systems, namely, the Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) and the SGR. The port requires flexibility and added capacities, so that we do not only serve our inland demand, but also use it for transhipment. It is not every container that comes to Mombasa that comes to the inland in Kenya or Uganda and other neighbouring countries. As in the case of Singapore and Dubai, it is possible for us to create a port where the neighbouring countries along the coast can get their containers brought in by the big ships and then smaller boats deliver those containers to the neighbouring areas. The JICA, which is supporting us in terms of this financial commitment for the development of the Port of Mombasa, has been around for many years. They were involved in putting up the Nyali Bridge through the Government of Japan. Studies have been done by JICA to see how we can have a bridge constructed across the Likoni Creek. If we do not support the expansion of the Port of Mombasa in terms of constructing the Second Container Terminal Phase II, this project will not give us full benefits as intended. Although there is the worry of the national debt growing, something which we cannot fail to take note of, it is important to support the approval of this loan for this investment to be put in place. That way, we will complete this project. Although there has been a lot of talk about our neighbouring countries not supporting us in terms of the SGR and the oil pipeline, we must believe that this country can develop to a point where we can industrialise and use our ports for purposes of export. We cannot wait for our neighbouring countries to come up with the kind of airlines and facilities that exist in this country. What we have done is to be ahead of them. By creating such a port, we will not have to do much to persuade them to come back to Mombasa. 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."
}