Top officials from New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and other key government agencies have expressed optimism that the LAPSSET Corridor project will ease connectivity between East African Countries.
The team on Tuesday visited Turkana County to monitor and evaluate the progress of the project.
Speaking at the County Commissioner’s office in Lodwar, Chief Executive Officer-NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat, Dr. Samori Okwiya, highlighted that with security concerns addressed, the corridor is now ready for full activation.
Insecurity has been a challenge derailing the completion of the project especially near the Kenya-South Sudan border.
“Now that we are assured of security, we can actually say this corridor is ready to come into live,” he stated.
He challenged the private sector and the business community to consider putting business activities into this corridor to actualize the life of the projects installed.
He further stated that the government and other stakeholders have invested heavily in setting up and preparing the development along the corridor right from the port of Lamu.
He urged Turkana residents to take advantage of the process and be part of the development agenda to uplift the living standards of the people who live along the corridor.
The County Commissioner Julius Kavita assured of continued security and support for the ongoing projects.
He emphasized the need for Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to benefit local communities. among the projects expected to be handed over to the community include, police stations, schools, slaughter houses, livestock yards.
Kavita said the project will provide employment opportunities for youths.
Engineer Erick Wambua, Director for East Africa Regional Trade Development Facilitation Project at KeNHA, said that they have constructed the road from Lokichar to Nadapal which is about 327 kilometres.
In addition, a fibre optic from Eldoret to Nadapal with ICT Authority which is a length of about 600 kilometres has been laid.
He further stated that the ongoing social economic infrastructure projects are expected to be complete by December this year.
He urged the local community to support the government in maintenance and operation of these facilities by ensuring that the infrastructure that has been put in place is safe so as to benefit the community and also to achieve other objectives of regional integration.
Moses Muiya, Regional Coordinator KRA in the North Rift region also stated that as core partners they play a very vital role in the economic development of the country.
He assured that trade along the corridor will be done within the regulations of Kenya Revenue Authority.
By Ngasike Ezekiel and Peter Gitonga
