East African Community Partner States have been urged to support local investors to help seek local solutions to local problems in the region.
East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) Mp James Milya, from Tanzania argued that local investors are up to the task if given the opportunity by relevant governments to undertake and drive investments in the region.
Speaking in Mombasa during a tour of the Buxton housing project by the EALA Committee on Communication, Trade, and Investment, Milya said as a committee they will seek to implore to member partners to support local investors.
The Buxton housing project in Mombasa, Kenya is a project initiated by EALA Mp Suleiman Shahbal who is also the Chairman, EALA Committee on Communication, Trade, and Investment
"We have been here touring this nice housing project and this is a clear indication that we now need to have confidence and give the opportunity to our local investors. This is a very good project initiated by a local investor" said Milya.
Adding "Why should we always rely on foreign investors yet we have the potential locally".
His sentiments were echoed with her counterpart representing South Sudan Deng Nhial who called on other EAC member states to emulate the housing project.
"This project showcases what can actually be done by local private investors and we would like to see such projects initiated in other member states" said Mp Nhial.
Adding "Personally I think it is an exciting project to be emulated."
On EAC adopting a policy on affordable housing project Nhial stated " I think we should now adopt a policy on such projects and ensure that all our member states can benefit from them.
On his part Mp James Kakooza called on the members states to come up with good policies and regulations on how to deal with the rural urban migration arguing that it has been the main cause of the housing challenge in the region.
"In our member states we have what we call rural to urban migration. Many people are coming to towns from rural areas and our governments have not been investing properly in housing to accommodate this people, so if a local investor can do it then it is very good and I hope this can spill over to other member states since we all face similar challenges" said Kakooza.
