The Petroleum and Mining Cabinet Secretary (CS), John Munyes says the government is committed to streamlining the mining sector to unlock its full potential.
Munyes who was speaking while touring mining sites on Tuesday in the Kwale County said streamlining the sector was crucial to ensure that it contributes significant revenue to the country’s exchequer.
The CS, who was accompanied by the ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Eng. John Musonik and Principal Secretary (PS) John Omenge, pledged the government’s commitment to ensure conducive atmosphere for investors.
The minister toured Magaoni, Vanga and Tsuwini areas and urged residents to accept the exploration of mineral deposits in their localities, saying it was a source of revenue for the government.
He encouraged the minors to add value to their products before exporting them, saying this would benefit Kenya more in terms of job creation, income generation and poverty eradication.
Munyes noted that the great challenge facing the mining industry was how to exploit the mineral resources without destroying the environment and urged large-scale investors to practise responsible mining.
“They must ensure their operations do not negatively impact on the environment for future use,” he said at the Base Titanium mining site in Kanando location.
Also in the tour was Kwale Senator Issa Boy, County woman representative, Zulekha Hassan, MPs Suleiman Dori (Msambweni), Kassim Tandaza (Matuga) and Benjamin Tayari (Kinango) and other political and opinion leaders.
By Hussein Abdullahi
