Residents of Ijara in Garissa have been challenged to take advantage of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor project and invest in businesses that would uplift their standards of living.
Ijara Member of Parliament (MP), Sophia Abdi Noor, at the same time called upon people in the area to work closely with security agencies to ensure that the region is safe and a suitable investment destination for other Kenyans and even foreigners.
Addressing Wananchi in ijara the Legislator noted that the LAPSSET project will improve the livelihood of the residents not only through land compensation, investments but also in opening up the hitherto closed community to other opportunities outside the region.
The multibillion infrastructural project will transverse almost 415km through Ijara, passing through Bothai, Ijara, Bura and Modika in Garissa County.
“This LAPSSET project is of immense benefit to our people, ensure that you maintain peace and security and report criminals to the relevant authorities if development venture is to succeed,”. the MP appealed.
Sophia encouraged Ijara residents to put up businesses that include hotels and restaurants in Bothai, Ijara and Fafi in order to alleviate poverty and unemployment.
The MP expressed appreciation to the Government under President Uhuru Kenyatta for the various development projects not only in the previously marginalized areas but also across the Country.
She at the same time thanked the Government for deploying contingent of the Kenya Defense Forces, Special forces, the Rapid Deployment Unit to support the local Kenya Police Reservists to enhance security in the area.
“We are neighbouring the volatile Boni Forest where criminals including the Al-Shabaab are believed to be hiding, presence of the security personnel will ensure that the machinery of the LAPSSET project, road, railway line and oil pipeline passes through the region without hindrance,’ she observed.
By Mohamed Dahir
