An assessment report on government development projects in the Coast region has signaled impressive progress.
Speaking after a tour of the Mombasa/Dongo Kundu development project, Government spokesperson Col. (Rtd.) Cyrus Oguna said he was on a verification exercise to ascertain the progress status of the Sh45 billion projects.
Accompanied by the Regional Commissioner John Elungata and Presidential Delivery Unit officials, Col Oguna stated the government has invested in the projects to boost the region economically by establishing a special economic zone in the area in coming days.
The government spokesperson observed the special economic zone will directly employ approximately 300,000 people and up to 3 million indirect beneficiaries.
This, he said, would generally empower the people of Mombasa and the country’s economy through the Sh45 billion injected into the project.
The development of Mombasa port area project is being implemented in three phases, the first being Miritini Kipevu road, at a cost of sh11 billion which is already complete.
Phase two of the project Mwache and Tsunza which involves a lot of undersea works will cost Sh24 billion and is at 14 per cent completion. The third phase between Muteza and Kibundani is at 60 percent completion.
The installations at the special economic zones including water and electricity and other drivers of the development in the area will cost an additional Sh. 2.1 billion totaling the cost to Sh45billion.
Oguna defended the government’s development record in the Coast adding the completion of the Mombasa Dongo Kundu development project will save commuters a lot of time. He said initially they used to travel for 62 kilometers to access the other side of the ocean but now need less than 30 minutes via the new road and bridges network to do so.
He said the coast region combined has 455 development projects under the national government and its partners geared to ensure no Kenyan is left behind in development.
Col. Oguna reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting the corona scourge calling on the members of public to observe guidelines that include, social distancing, washing hands, wearing facemasks and avoiding crowded areas among others.
On the Building Bridges Initiative, Oguna noted that post-election violence witnessed in the country after every election will be a thing of the past since the BBI has the solution in its recommendations.
He said the violence witnessed cost the country many lives and billions of shillings in property losses and economic decline adding that peace is equally expensive and comes at a cost too as projected in the implementation of the BBI. “Violence has a cost and if BBI will bring peace then be it,” said Oguna.
Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata assured residents of their security especially during the upcoming festive season.
The Regional Commissioner said the region has enjoyed peace and no incidences in recent months calling on the members of the public to maintain the same including during the coming by-elections in Msambweni and Taita Taveta on December 15.
Elungata also called on residents to observe the Covid protocols warning anyone found breaching them will be arrested and prosecuted.
The chief engineer Mombasa Development project Mr Lao regretted the delays occasioned by the Covid pandemic that restricted movements thus affecting the delivery of the project on stipulated timelines.
By Joseph Kamolo
