SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON. UHURU KENYATTA,
2ND
INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT OF EAC HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT,MOMBASA, 28 TH AUGUST,
2013
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome Your Excellencies and your distinguished delegations toKenya’s Port City of
Mombasa. We are greatly honoured to host the second Infrastructure Summit. I
want to begin by commending each one of you for the diligence with which you
ensured that the tasks assigned to you at the inaugural June Summit hosted by
President Museveni were accomplished.
The commitment that has so far been demonstrated
is as a result of our collective desire to grow our economies and improve
the quality of life of our people. Since
it is our stated commitment to
accelerate integration through enhanced
movement of people, goods and services across our borders, it is
my hope that the symbolism of hosting the
summit at the Gateway to Eastern and Central Africa will not be lost.
The Port of Mombasa is our common
resource. That is made abundantly clear by looking at the data on movement of goods into
and out of the port. Some 30% of the 22 million tons of cargo handled in
2012 was destined for transit. As our economies grow, the demand for more
efficient transport and communications has never been greater. And we are here because
we are alive to that.
We are here to strengthen our coordination
in the work we are doing together. We are here because we know that the one thing that can slow
down our improving performance is inadequate infrastructure. We know that no country in the world has been able
to maintain 7 per cent growth and above on a sustainable basis unless it dealt
with infrastructure bottlenecks. We are here because we know that
together, we can and we will get the work done. Without expanded
infrastructure, the demands of maturing economies on existing facilities present a growing logistical challenge which loads
unnecessary costs to taxpayers and consumers.
I am gratified that Your
Excellencies share a common vision to catalyse the momentum of regional
growth through deliberate actions to anticipate challenges. Our prosperity
and security increasingly feature mutual opportunities as well as challenges. The
imperative to integrate has never been greater. The readiness with which Your
Excellencies have risen to challenges of our time is gratifying and bodes well
for the region’s prospects.
At the Uganda Summit, several
key matters were extensively discussed. Among them were the development of rail
infrastructure in the region, the development of two oil pipelines,enhanced energy production and distribution, implementation of a Single Tourist Visa
regime and the strengthening of the Single Customs Territory. Just as the
imperative to integrate has been inevitable, the realisation that the scope of
this project is dictated by unavoidable dynamics impelled us to welcome Burundi
and South-Sudan into these discussions.
Your Excellencies, it is now
clear that the key to managing regional challenges is the quick and clear
realisation that we share one common destiny, and that working together on as
many issues as possible offers superior opportunities to realise our
aspirations. After Kampala, there have been seven meetings at various levels
during which aspects of the Kampala Communique were clarified, developed
and implemented. I am delighted to observe the solid progress made and the
level of commitment that each partner State has invested towards the
realisation of the resolutions.
Your Excellencies, My
Government was assigned the task of spearheading the Action Point on
Enhancement of Electricity Generation and Distribution as well as the
development of two regional pipelines to carry finished products between Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali and crude
between Uganda-Kenya-South Sudan. I am happy to report as follows.
Regarding the first Point, we have generated a report presenting several
possibilities on regional energy generation and distribution. This report contains
proposals on the best means of exploiting electricity resources within
each partner State, including such alternatives as nuclear, geo-thermal and
other forms of renewable energy. I urge Your Excellencies to consider the
recommendations in the context of moving our region towards energy
self-sufficiency.
Your Excellencies,
In connection with the
development of the oil pipelines, we are happy to
report that the first phase of developing the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali pipeline
is on course, with the initial portion currently undergoing bid evaluation
while the terms of reference for the feasibility study in relation to the
second portion are now complete. We look forward to further discussions on the
second phase of the pipeline project. Our ministers have deliberated in commendable detail the procurement and financing options for the Kampala-Kigali segment.
I urge Your Excellencies to
consider the model that offers the best returns for the region, saves implementation time without compromising competitiveness or required
standards. I have noted with great appreciation the steps taken in implementing
the Single Customs Territory. In particular, I applaud member states' revenue
authorities for interfacing their customs systems. The result is a seamless flow
of information required to ease cargo clearance at first port of entry and
payment of port charges. Equally important is the authorities' ongoing dialogue to streamline the evolved processes in order to cover loopholes
and prevent losses arising from abuse.
Excellencies, the task we have
embarked on is enormous. But I hope you will agree with me that
heavy work is mitigated by steady progress. As long as our unity is bearing
fruit, we will remain inspired to move forward boldly and quickly. As we review
the status of the other decisions taken in Kampala, I want
to assure Your Excellencies of Kenya's unstinting commitment to see them
through. It will become necessary from time to time to set new objectives, and
I am confident that this will only make our common vision easier to achieve. As
I conclude, allow me to thank you all once again for being here, ready to work,
and wish you fruitful deliberations.
Let me also urge you to tour this city,
which is steeped in history.
Thank you very much and God bless
you
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