MP faults Yatani for compulsory SGR cargo haul orders

 

A lawmaker wants National Treasury boss Ukur Yatani directed to respond to concerns that traders with PINs registered outside Mombasa are being compelled to haul their goods by the Standard Gauge Railway for clearance in Nairobi.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir asked the National Assembly Speaker on Thursday to cause the ministry to address the concern as raised in a letter from Parliament that the ministry is yet to reply.

The MP further wants the Speaker to direct that the National Treasury ministry to also clear the air on why 247 casuals Kenya Ports Authority has not paid for months are yet to be hired.

The Finance Committee chaired by Homa Bay Woman MP Gladys Wanga wrote to the ministry following the statement Nassir sought on June 16, 2021.

Nassir decried that KPA has advertised for 200 jobs yet it was to state to Parliament how many people from the lot that they have recruited.

“The Treasury CS said they will report to the committee by mid November on the progress of hiring the 247. With this notice to hire 200 people, we want to know the future of the casuals,” he said.

On the cargo matter, the Finance committee was asked on October 14, 2020 for the Treasury CS to explain why KRA is forcing traders with PINs registered outside Mombasa to clear their goods at the Nairobi ICD.

The ministry is equally yet to respond to the query. The National Treasury is the overseer of Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Railways Authority functions.

Nassir said the events mirror the extent to which Coast residents have continued to be sidelined by unfounded government directives.

“Why are Mombasa people being looked at with a different eye as if they are not like other Kenyans? We are asking that we should be subjected to heartburns over an issue that touches our livelihoods.”

Seeking a response by end of the week, Nassir said issues concerning all Kenyans must be catered to, more so those that affect a locale directly.

“We are taking about people who were born here, have established businesses. I seek that direction be given before next week ends,” Nassir added.     BY THE STAR