A multi-stakeholder engagement meeting on national government projects in Lodwar resolved to fastrack development projects being implemented in the county.
The meeting was co-chaired by the County Commissioner Turkana Julius Kavita and National Development Implementation Committee Rift Valley Region Co-ordinator Sitati Olando.
Turkana County leaders were engaged on the Eastern Africa Regional Transport, Trade and Development Facilitation Project and other priority projects involving Kenya Power and Lighting Company, Housing Projects, Land Titling, ICT, KVDA, NDMA, National Irrigation Authority and KenHa.
Olando underscored that the president was keen on service delivery along the bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
The interventions under BETA target five core priority areas namely, Agricultural transformation and inclusive growth; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) economy; Housing and settlement; Healthcare; and Digital superhighway and creative economy.
The leaders were also briefed on progress status of all ongoing national government projects in the county.
Among the key issues was the current power interruption caused by load shedding that has affected government institutions as well as private enterprises and residences in Lodwar leading to outcry among residents.
Load shedding is used to relieve stress on a primary energy source when demand for electricity is greater than the primary power source can supply.
In Lodwar, this has been caused by breakdown of one of the power generators causing residents to endure power interruptions for two months.
Traders in Lodwar, stormed the local Kenya Power station demanding an explanation for the frequent power outages that have plagued the town.
Company manager Mary Kirui said the company was working round the clock to provide short term and long-term solutions to the problem.
In the long run, Lodwar will be connected to the national grid with the establishment of a power station in Lodwar, she said.
Turkana East MP Nicholas Ngikor also called for fairness in awarding of development projects among the six constituencies.
County commissioner Julius Kavita said insecurity cases have reduced greatly adding that security agencies will not be proceeding on leave during the festivities.
Plans to ensure residents have title deeds are at an advanced stage according to county surveyor Stephen Barasa.
Others who attended the meeting included members of Turkana County Security and Intelligence Committee, Deputy County Commissioners, Turkana East Member of Parliament Nicholas Ngikor, National Government Heads of Departments and Agencies.
By Peter Gitonga
