The new Mining Act should stipulate clearly requirements for investors to channel funding for the construction of learning institutions and other developments.
This was said when Kericho County residents gave their views on the amendment of the Mining Act where they emphasized that the current formula which gives 10 per cent of the proceeds of mining to the community should be reviewed and the percentage increased to at least 20 per cent.
One resident said the percentage increase for the community should be channelled to the uplifting of educational projects, which should include construction of modern classrooms and uplifting education standards in the immediate neighbourhoods of the mines.
He said caution should be taken to avoid scenarios where no developments are done in the mining communities, like what has happened in some countries where the abundance of minerals had turned into a curse.
Kericho Woman Representative Beatrice Kemei, who led the Parliamentary committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining, said the views presented by various stakeholders should be put into consideration.
Apart from that, she said the Mining Act will spur different forms of development in the counties, adding that employment of youth will also be enhanced.
“I want to thank you for turning up in large numbers for this public participation on the new Mining Act. This will be a game-changer for our country as from the look of things, mining will surpass even Agriculture as the leading source of revenue for this country,” she said.
The chairman of the 15-member committee David Gikaria, who is Nakuru East MP, said there were two Bills presented for amendment; the Mining Amendment Bill and the Gold Processing Bill 2023.
Participants who included representatives from the Association of Miners, civil society, human rights organizations, business people, farmers and the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) raised issues of youth employment and ploughing back the proceeds of mining into the society.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
People ordered to vacate regions around 178 high risk dams around the country
By Benedict Ng’etich
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
