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{
    "id": 667410,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/667410/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 110,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Abdi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 398,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Hassan Abdi",
        "slug": "yusuf-hassan-abdi"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise to support this important Bill. One of the fundamental differences between a developed country and a developing one is in the levels of their infrastructure and road networks. We can only achieve progress and the Vision 2030 dreams if we adequately invest in development of our infrastructure and, in particular, our roads. Roads contribute to economic growth and development. They provide an opportunity for people to take their farm produce to the market, travel and be able to do all the things human beings require in their daily activities and development. One fundamental thing that has been raised here, which we need to change, is the confusion that exists. We seem to have too many Authorities dealing with different types of roads in our country. We need to change and rationalise this function. We also need to put in place rules and regulations to ensure that we build well-designed and long-lasting roads. Our roads also need to meet both regional and international standards. We need to get rid of cowboy contractors and penalise contractors who take taxpayers’ money and do shoddy jobs. This is common in places like Nairobi, where you see one road being done today, with millions of shillings being spent, only for it to be full of potholes the following day. Other elements which need to be looked into include planning, building, designing and management as well as maintenance of our roads. All these appear to be in a mess. We live in the nightmare of congested and jammed roads every day. We need to put some sense into that. I hope that this Bill will go a long way in doing that. Another point I wanted to raise is lack of maintenance. What happened to the practice and culture of maintaining roads? You see potholes on roads that have just been finished and have cost millions of shillings in taxpayers’ money. What happened to the practice of the old days when the department of public works used to repair those roads before they become a major problem and require millions and millions of shillings to repair? Another element which has been raised is lack of public awareness among road users. It appears that many road users have very little consideration for other road users. Many of them also use heavy trucks without being penalised thus damaging roads. Some of them are reckless and they cause problems to other road users. This should be looked into. The public should be educated on how to use roads properly and to be safe drivers. Those who do not take responsibility for the use of our national roads should be penalised. Finally, I would like to say that it is important to make a distinction. As a Member of Parliament now, I have difficulty in finding out which road falls under which Authority. If this is the case, you can imagine the confusion which exists among the public. With those few remarks, I would like to support the Bill. Thank you very much."
}