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1 REMARKS BY PROF. PAUL MARINGA, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY PUBLIC WORKS DURING THE OPENING OF INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION ; ICoRCE KICC 7 TH NOVEMBER, 2018.

2 This has seen the creation of the soon to be launched Kenya Mortgage Refinancing Company to manage low cost liquidity for mortgages. To create momentum, we are already launching some of the projects including the development of 55 acres in Mavoko, and redeveloping old estates, including Ngara and Pangani.

3 3. Construction Process Facilitation: The Legal Framework Delivery of 500,000 houses will involve the industry s entire value chain. This encompasses requisite approvals, registration of the various projects, critical human resource in the form of consultants and construction workers, the end user who will ultimately purchase the home, the financial sector among others. Engagements along this chain happen within a legal framework. The existing and

4 new laws must support our vison as a country; there is need to give room for creative development. Removal of NCA and NEMA levies from construction approval process for example, was a strong indicator of the Government s commitment to creating a favorable construction investment environment. The Ministry through the State Department of Housing is crafting a development framework where we will seek a delegated authority to facilitate the required statutory approvals.

5 4. Role of Research and Innovation Ladies and gentlemen, we can all agree that programmes of the magnitude of Big 4 cannot be implemented without leveraging on existing and emerging innovations and trends. Research helps us bridge gaps and create solutions; it is a precursor for sustainable development. It is a challenge to research focused bodies like the Kenya Building Research and NCA to rise to the occasion. This way we are able to build faster, better and cheaper structures; we must attain the

6 quantities and quality we want within timelines and at affordable cost. Cognizant of this, the Government launched the Affordable Housing Village at the Nairobi International Trade Fair Grounds. This provides a platform for exhibitors to showcase various innovative building technologies and materials (IBTM), which we look forward to absorbing into the Big 4 Affordable Housing agenda. The Village will continue through to next year with introduction of a training element to impart critical skills to contractors and construction workers in order to enhance adoption of the IBTM.

7 5. Conclusion ICoRCE should sustain its momentum in offering a platform that brings together critical minds in pursuit of excellence in construction. It provides an opportunity for various exhibitors to showcase various innovations in their respective fields. I applaud NCA for this initiative which is now in its third edition and still growing strong. Let us never stop the conversation, never dampen the spirit of discovery, and never tire of searching for ways to become better. Allow me to warmly welcome our delegates, exhibitors, visitors, partners, sponsors and members of the fourth estate to this year s conference. I hope the next three days will

8 The Solicitor General, Mr. Kennedy Ogeto The Vice Chair, Law Society of Kenya, Ms. Harriette Chiggai The Board of Directors, National Construction Authority, The Executive Director, National Construction Authority, Eng. Maurice Akech Distinguished Speakers, Delegates, Members of the Fourth Estate Ladies and Gentlemen.Good Morning

9 Contents Introduction The Housing Agenda Construction Process Facilitation: Utilizing the Legal Framework Role of Research and Innovation Conclusion

10 1. Introduction In his Jamhuri Day speech last year, H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta broke down the basic needs of all Kenyans as dignity, enough food on the table, and a lower cost of living. Consequently, the government s resources have been directed to attaining the answers to those concerns, in the form of food security, affordable housing, affordable healthcare for all, and manufacturing; now referred to as the Big 4 Agenda. Today is a significant day on the construction industry

11 calendar as we usher in the premiere construction research event in the region, the International Construction Research Conference and Exhibition; ICoRCE This comes at a time when Kenya has moved up 19 places to 61 st position in World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report. This follows efforts like improving access to credit, protecting minority investors and merging all required permits into one to ease up on levies charged and time spent. Construction Industry cannot afford to be left behind in these efforts.

12 2. The Housing Agenda The challenge before all of us in the construction industry is to live up to the task of delivering the 500,000 affordable housing units for Kenyans. Our Ministry is tasked with the considerable task of developing a demand based master plan for social and affordable housing within the Big 4 Agenda. The roadmap to this destiny must make sense to all of us the players in here. Land is a key factor of production in the housing agenda: It will be of more value to us to look at land not just as property and wealth but a factor of

13 production. We are looking at options that will make access to land economical for affordable housing: Within the provisions of existing laws, we are exploring options like land swap between the private sector and the Government. Lowering construction cost, upscaling developer capacity and financing and growing the mortgage finance market are vital ingredients for delivery of the affordable housing.

14 yield implementable results for betterment of mankind. I now declare ICoRCE 2018 officially open. Thank you.