Construction of an integrated industrial park at Sironga wetlands in Nyamira County worth Sh. 3 billion by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is projected to boost the regions’ agriculture sector and at the same time improve people’s livelihoods.
Nyamira Governor, Amos Nyaribo while visiting the 265-acre piece of land at Sironga area where the park will be constructed, accompanied by national government and UNIDO officials, said the project, once completed will be a game changer on matters of agricultural production in the area.
Governor Nyaribo assured that Nyamira County is ready to receive the industrial park, saying it will help farmers who will now have an opportunity for value addition to their agricultural produce right at their door steps and forget the agony of looking for industries to value add their farm products and markets.
“As Nyamira County government and residents, we are more than ready to support and utilize this project once it is complete because we are aware of the vast benefits it will accrue both to local and neighbouring farmers and the positive impact it will create on our farming ventures being our main source of income,” the Governor stated.
The Governor further noted that being the first industrial park in our country, it will create an impact beyond our borders and put Nyamira on top of the region.
“The County government has already secured the title deed for the land, established a committee at the county level to supervise progress of the project in ensuring quality work is implemented by the contractor. We have also allocated sh.100 million from our budget to supplement our donors’ support to ensure construction of the park is completed within stipulated time.” Nyaribo confirmed.
Ms. Jane Mugambi, an official from the ministry of Interior and Coordination of National government confirmed that the national government had given the project priority and are ready to fully support the venture having been established that Nyamira County is an agricultural county.
She further revealed that the interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i has already written and sent funding proposals to the European Union and other international bodies to support the county in other development related projects and confidently said the county should expect more goodies from the national government.
On her side, Kagwira Muchana UNIDO country representative to Kenya said the industrial park will enable farmers from the County value add their farm products and appealed for cooperation from the county government in ensuring the project is a success.
“If we market this park adequately, very many investors from other regions within the continent and beyond will show interest and spend their resources in this county and that will go a long way in creating and enabling a robust business environment for their agriculture products.” Muchana said.
Mwariri Wanjiru, President’s Delivery Unit Director in Nyamira said progress status of all development projects in the region will be reported directly to the president through the President Delivery Unit (PDU).
By Deborah Bochere and Dan Nyamanga
