Leaders in Kwale County are calling on the national government to accelerate the delivery of new infrastructure projects for enhanced socio-economic development in the coastal county.
The leaders, led by area Governor Fatuma Achani, expressed displeasure at the current slow progress of infrastructure development implementation in the coastal region.
Addressing the press after a leaders meeting, Governor Achani said as leaders they are not happy seeing the slow speed of implementation at which development works are taking place in the county.
The leaders who attended a closed-door meeting at the Jacaranda Indian Ocean Hotel included Senator Issa Boi, Kwale County Woman Representative Fatuma Masito, and MPs Mangale Chiforomodo (Lunga Lunga), Feisal Bader (Msambweni), Kassim Tandaza (Matuga), and Gonzi Rai (Kinango).
Key ongoing projects by the national government in Kwale include the Sh20 billion Mwache multipurpose dam project, the Sh2.3 billion Diani Airport rehabilitation and expansion project, the Sh2.6 billion Shimoni fish port development project, the Sh1.15 billion Funzi causeway off Milalani-Munja road, and the construction of the Sh3 billion Kwale-Kinango road, among others.
“We will start serious discussions with key line ministries to expedite the completion of all mega projects in our area deemed to be of significance as soon as possible,” Achani said, adding that the ongoing projects would open a lot of opportunities for the population.
She said the mega-projects must be completed if Kwale is to achieve its socio-economic growth expectations and ultimately help reduce poverty.
Achani pointed out that the local leaders are united and ready to collaborate with all government agencies committed to the economic development of Kwale.
She said all the ongoing multibillion-shilling critical projects, once completed, are expected to generate a better economic climate for international and local businesses and individuals.
“We want all the critical infrastructure projects needed to accelerate economic growth and development in Kwale to be fast-tracked to avoid cases of time and cost overruns and abandonment,” she stated.
Achani read the riot act to contractors handling various county projects to deliver quality work within the stipulated timeframe or risk having their contracts terminated.
She said the devolved government is committed to fostering and advancing economic and business opportunities for all by fast-tracking economic development.
The coastal county boss also said the meeting was meant to strengthen the working relationship of Kwale leaders as a way to enhance service delivery to the people.
The Governor said that, under Kwale leadership, they have resolved to hold such development meetings quarterly for the benefit of area residents.
Senator Issa Boi hailed the opportunity to come together and discuss how leaders can work together for the betterment of Kwale County and the country at large.
“Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we continue setting aside our political differences and work hand in hand towards common goals,” he said.
He said leaders should harness the power of collaboration to tackle the challenges facing the community head-on.
Kwale County Commissioner Stephen Orinde said the government is committed to the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects across the coastal county.
Orinde says the robust infrastructure network would be speeded up through the National Government Development-County Implementation, Coordination, and Management Committee (NGD-CICMC).
The county administrator clarified that the NGD-CICMC, as a tool to speed up development projects in the counties, is overseeing several projects in Kwale initiated by the national government to accelerate rapid socio-economic development.
“The Kwale NDG-CICMC is focusing on accelerating the execution of public infrastructure projects at different stages of development to go on smoothly and continuously, and there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
