GOVT KEEN TO MINIMIZE CONFLICTS OVER NATURAL RESOURCES

Dec 22, 2014 Editor Kisumu News National, News 0

Kenyan Govt keen to minimize conflicts over Natural Resources between Counties and the National Government. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mining Mr. Patrick Omutia says the government is committed to this and sharing of proceeds from natural resources between the County and the National Government will be equitable.

He says the National Government will cooperate with the County Government to avoid competition or any conflict in the mining sector in the country.

He says the benefits accruing from natural resources in particular minerals will be shared between the County and National Government using a specified formula which may be changed once in a while.

He says the Bill proposes that 10 percent will be given to the community where the minerals are found, a further 20 percent in counties where the mineral is and the remaining 70 percent for the National Government.

Speaking to Kisumu News, the PS also announced that the Bill will now recognize the existence of small miners in all the counties who were previously regarded as illegal miners.

He says however measures have been put in place to ensure that they are well organized and that several incidents of deaths in mines are reduced.
He says a body will be in place to be constantly inspecting the mines to ensure that they are safe for the workers to avoid deaths.