Let's work together to link artisanal and small scale miners to the Big Four Agenda, this is according to Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui.
Speaking during the Second Biannual CEMEREM Conference on sustainable development in the extractives industry in Africa held in Voi Majala said the linkage will support the miners who face marketing challenge for their minerals.
"We are living in the era of the presidential Big four Agenda among them housing, manufacturing and agriculture. It is my humble call for CEMEREM, Taita Taveta University and other stakeholders to work together to support them" she said
Adding "It is our responsibility to sit and forge a way to link small scale and artisal miners with the niche created in order for them to be able to capitalize on this opportunity".
She at the same time revealed that plans are underway to renew an MoU between the County Government of Taita Taveta and Taita Taveta university to help develop a curriculum which will be a tool for training in the Vocational training centers countywide.
The extractives enthusiast also noted that remarkable strides have been made in terms of policy formulation both locally and regionally.
"We have in place the Sand Harvesting and Conservation bill and the Taita Taveta Mining Act 2016. Also as a member of Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, in the mining sector working groups, we have formulated a harmonized extractives policy which will look into issues consent, local content, procurement opportunities and benefit sharing for communities around mining areas," she added.
She however observed the need to come up with a model for empowering women in the extractives sector and their involvement in leadership of the sector while creating an ample environment for women to engage in mining throughout the value chain.
Taita Taveta University Chancellor Professor Fred Barasa confirmed that the university has previously partnered with JKP and the County Government of Taita Taveta to train artisanal and small scale miners in the field of marketing, business and social engineering.
Taita Taveta Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Christine Onyango informed the audience that CEMEREM program is a partnership between Taita Taveta University and a Germany Government funded program DAAD which creates linkage with partners. The project in its second phase.
Also present were Retired Major Masdine Madoka, Murang'a University VC Prof. Justin Irina among other stakeholders.
