Government to set up a Gemology Center in Voi

Government to set up a Gemology Center in Voi

The National government is set to spend 30 million shillings to construct a Gemology center in Voi, Taita Taveta County where gemstones will be added value before they are exported.

Cabinet Secretary for Mining Najib Balala said the government is planning to start such centers in various parts of the country to enable Kenyans to export the product.

Balala mentioned that the government will ban exports of raw gemstones from the country beginning 2018 once the gemstone center is complete so that all gemstones’ value addition is done in Kenya.

The Cabinet Secretary stated that the government will withdraw licenses of idle miners in the near future.

Citing that the national government is determined to positively impact the lives of Kenyans, he appealed to residents and political leaders to back up the project.

He called upon political leaders to leave political parties’ differences and support the national government in its efforts to improve devolution.

Balala said the opposition leaders are still fighting the government instead of supporting it so as to make a difference in the lives of Kenyans.

He urged political leaders in the area to join hands with the national government in its work.

Balala was speaking to a CBO group in Mwatate and later in Voi town where he launched a project to construct a gemstones center in Voi.

Taita Taveta County Governor John Mruttu said the county government will start a health center where the CBO is mining in Mwatate.

Muruttu added that the National Youth service will help in leveling the grounds where the miners are working to minimize the risk of being buried during the operation.

 

 

Tags:

Najib Balala government voi gemstones TAITA TAVETA Gemology

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories