A Network of Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) has okayed the construction of a 15,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) common-user Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal in Chaani, Changamwe Sub-County.
Changamwe Network for Persons with Special Needs termed the proposed project as timely and expected to contribute to job creation, community empowerment, and enhancement of security, as well as to ensure there are competitive LPG prices and boost the country’s revenue collection.
They were speaking during a public participation forum with the proprietors, Focus Freight Station Company.
“We need those employment opportunities, procurement opportunities, and support for the group,” said Sarah Odhiambo, the Chairperson of the PLWD umbrella body, when they presented their memorandum to the Focus Freight Station.
The network also engages in mitigation against the adverse effects of climate change and expressed their appeal for support for the acquisition of seedlings and training for groups.
Odhiambo said they have a robust plan to start Eco clubs across ten Public Primary Schools in Changamwe to inculcate the culture of tree-growing in learners.
One has already been established at Magongo Primary School. The learners will be trained to take care of the trees planted by the network.
“Most of the time we plant trees; when you go back there, they are dead. But when you train the children, they grow up knowing they are supposed to take care of the trees. This is now tree growing, not just planting and leaving them there,” said Odhiambo.
“The Eco clubs are going to start from class three; by the time they do their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams and go away, the trees will be already big,” she added.
The network wants to come up with a uniform booklet to be supplied to lower school learners to guide them on tree-growing lessons.
“It’s going to be a simple, popular version. This is something that is in our hearts as people with disabilities in Changamwe, and we hope to get support from this organisation. We want to come here and do beautification. We don’t want to beg in the streets; we are opposed to that,” she stated.
On his part, Focus Freight Station Company Chairman Faisal Abbas says they closely work with PLWDs. He promised to consider them for job placement once the LPG Terminal starts operations.
The company door, Abass said, is open to all and sundry, and that is why they invited the PLWDs to their own public participation forum to get their views on the proposed LPG project.
“We decided that we want to have a discussion out of this noisy environment, to have a one-on-one meeting to deliberate and chart our way forward on how we can collaborate,” he stated.
The chairman announced that the company will immediately distribute diapers to caregivers with disabled children in Changamwe.
The company further promised to start the procurement of assistive devices for PLWDs and the distribution of seedlings to support the network in environmental conservation efforts.
The Chairman informed the PLWDs that they have left the 16-meter strip for use by the community and should ignore peddlers of lies hell-bent on derailing the project.
He reiterated that the company will not demolish houses or evict residents in the 16-meter strip.
“As we had said, we don’t want it. We have left it to Chaani residents for their use,” stated the chairman.
He further divulged that they are in the process of compiling a database for all the residents to know their skills and give them first priority in employment once work begins.
“We will choose our employees from the database. Rest assured we have you in mind and residents of Changamwe in general.”
The PLWDs were informed that the company has downsized the project to 15,000 MT from the initial 30,000 MT and relocated the project 208 meters away from the residential area.
The relocation will lead to the demolition of the company’s warehouse and a three-storey building office.
“We are sacrificing our developments to accommodate the people of Chaani,” said the Chairman.
Through the project, the company aims to support the government’s plan to reduce the prices of LPG. They want LPG to be affordable to all Kenyans.
“We will make sure we reduce the cost of LPG to be accessed by all,” stated Abbas.
Daniel Mwilole, a Resident of Chaani said they want investments that will enhance the economy of their locality. He advised residents to ignore naysayers who are anti-development.
“We want development for our youths to get jobs. The majority of our youths are unemployed; this project has the potential to employ 3000-5000 youths,” said Mwilole.
By Sadik Hassan
