Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Performance and Delivery Management Eliud Owalo has embarked on a crucial inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in the coastal counties of Mombasa and Lamu.
Owalo told the media that the objective of the extensive development visit is to gather firsthand information, assess the progress of a number of construction works so far, and assess the status of the existing ones.
The Deputy Chief of Staff disclosed that the high-level visit will also provide an opportunity for intervention to mitigate the challenges that both contractors and communities affected by the projects are faced with.
“We are here in the coastal region to inspect the various high-impact construction projects being implemented by the national government in Mombasa and Lamu counties,” he said, adding that the government was taking measures to alleviate the current economic hardship in the country and will also continue to provide basic infrastructure to the people.
Owalo was accompanied by Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor, and Sherry Ariko, who is in charge of the Government Delivery Service (GDS) in the coastal region.
The former ICT Cabinet Secretary conducted a comprehensive inspection of ongoing works in Mombasa, reiterating the government’s commitment to delivering high-quality projects within budget and on schedule.
Owalo said the project site inspection is significant given the mandate of his office, which is in charge of the delivery management function of the national government.
“The government is determined to ensure the delivery of top-notch infrastructure projects, managing costs efficiently, and adhering to strict project timelines,” he said, adding that the government is out to guarantee the successful completion of all projects across the country.
Owalo stated that it’s prudent to inspect the project sites and communicate and share timely and relevant information about them to the public, who are the tax payers and beneficiaries.
He said his office will continuously assess the progress of works and also render interventions where necessary in order to ensure quality and timely delivery of the projects is achieved.
The crucial inspection tour commenced with a visit to the Sh. 54 billion Dongo Kundu Bypass Highway, the Sh. 40 billion Mombasa Special Economic Zone Development Project, the Sh. 1.5 billion Liwatoni Fishing Complex, the Sh7 billion Nyali Affordable Housing Project, and the Sh25 billion Mombasa-Malindi Dual Carriageway.
He inspected works on all the ongoing infrastructure projects in the Port City of Mombasa and interacted with the engineers, consultants, and contractors, urging for speedy delivery of the projects.
Owalo also received updates on the progress of several other significant road construction projects in Mombasa, stating that the focus was on improving infrastructure for the benefit of local communities.
“All these ongoing multibillion shilling projects reflect the government’s efforts to invest in critical infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic growth and improve the overall quality of life for Kenyans,” he said.
Owalo said the Dongo Kundu Bypass, also known as the Mombasa Southern Bypass Highway, was an important transport corridor for traffic destined to the interior of Kenya and beyond, besides addressing traffic congestion, promoting trade facilitation, and improving socioeconomic development.
He says the Dongo Kundu bypass project, which is 98 per cent complete, straddles Kwale and Mombasa counties and starts at Mteza Bridge and terminates at Kibundani along the Mombasa-Lungalunga highway.
“It will also provide connection from the Moi International Airport and Standard Gauge Railway SGR terminus, hence improving tourism and hospitality in Mombasa and Kwale counties,” he said.
The Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President stated that the Special Economic Zone Development project at Dongo Kundu is one of the Vision 2030 flagship projects in the coastal region.
The Special Economic Zone, which is approximately 3,000 acres large, is strategically located near the port of Mombasa, Dongo Kundu Bypass, Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), and Moi International Airport and is set to transform Mombasa into a regional logistics and manufacturing hub.
Owalo says the special economic zone has the potential to transform the region’s economic dynamics since it connects the Indian Ocean with the rest of Africa, stimulates regional investments, revitalises economic activities, and creates thousands of jobs.
He expressed satisfaction with all the projects progress, noting that significant improvements have been made except the Liwatoni Fishing Complex, where he decried court cases that have led to the stalling of the marine project.
PS Anne Wang’ombe affirmed that the ongoing development projects in the coastal region are within the plans of the government to enhance the quality of life in the country.
She said the government will take the necessary efforts to implement the ongoing projects according to the highest quality standards and that they are fully completed and in good condition.
By Mohamed Hassan
