A freshly rehabilitated Sh.49 million Manda Jetty in Lamu’s Manda Island has been handed over to the national government ahead of schedule.
The rehabilitation of the Manda Jetty is one of the of the Presidential Delivery Unit’s key projects in the county aimed at improving transport infrastructure across the country.
It is one of four jetties in Lamu being built at a total cost of Sh.649 million. Others are Mtangawanda, Mokowe, Mangrove and Manda that has been rehabilitated in the county to ease travel and ferrying of goods across the Lamu Island.
Speaking to KNA on Tuesday during the technical handing over of the rehabilitated Manda Jetty, the Chief Engineer, Hillary Nyaanga revealed that the project had been scheduled for completion in one year but the contractor had completed it ahead of schedule.
He said that the new jetty has been greatly improved and extended with a disabled proof ramp, a newly done pontoon ramp to ease boats in docking and anchoring as well as the construction of a 220 metre sea wall coupled by a walk way.
“With the expansion of the jetty, more boats will be accommodated as well as ease for travellers and cargo coming in and out of Lamu,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the Lamu jetties would be completed on time and reiterated the government’s agenda to improve infrastructure within the coastal county.
The Manda Jetty is normally used by travellers seeking access to Manda Airport and had been earmarked as a key infrastructural investment by the Jubilee administration.
He intimated that the jetty would soon be commissioned by the national government but stated that it was now fully operational.
He also stated that the other three jetties remained on course for completion with the Mangrove Jetty almost complete and the Mtangawanda Jetty at an advanced stage of completion with piling works being done.
“The Mokowe Jetty stands at 50 percent completion with piling works ongoing, and we can expect the project to be completed by August 2021,” resident engineer Peace Oduk noted.
The Lamu County Commissioner, Irungu Macharia lauded the contractor for being punctual and delivering on the project on time.
“These jetties are key Presidential Delivery Unit’s projects that besides being well done need to be maintained for long term use by travellers,” he opined.
The jetties are being built collaboratively by the State Department of Public works and Kenya Ports Authority who were expected to maintain them once completed.
By Amenya Ochieng
