Senator Gataya Mo`fire has sought a statement from the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration regarding the declassification of Igamba-Ng`ombe Sub county in Tharaka Nithi County as an Arid and semi-Arid area (ASAL).

Sen. Mo`fire wants the committee to state measures, if any, to revoke declassification of Igamba-Ng`ombe Sub county as an ASAL area noting that such classification has an effect on allocation of funds by Government for development, provision of Government services as well as retention of public servants in the area.

The committee is required to advise on measures in place to mitigate against further marginalization of the region besides explaining targeted interventions by the National Government to initiate development projects in the region including improvement of infrastructure and Government facilities such as health facilities and schools.

Further, the lawmaker wants the committee to give a report on whether the National Treasury intends to allocate funds to Igamba-Ng`ombe Sub county to help mitigate the effects of harsh climatic conditions including recurrent spells of drought that have caused further marginalization of the area.