The Kwale Governor, Salim Mvurya on Tuesday presided over a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the second phase of the Sh.600 million fruit processing plant in Shimba Hills, Kubo South Ward in Matuga Sub County.
Addressing those present at the project site, Governor Murya assured the people of Kwale that his administration is committed to accomplish all flagship projects aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of residents.
He said the construction of the fruit-processing plant started last year and will proceed in phases until completion next year.
The Governor urged farmers from Kubo South ward and nearby areas to cultivate more fruit producing plants, saying that soon the fruit-processing plant project under implementation will be ready to start operations.
“Soon this project will be completed and it will require fruits from nearby farms for it to operate fully. I therefore urge you to start cultivating fruit producing plants now so that you benefit once the project is operational,” he said.
The Governor also said that the county government is currently implementing other flagship projects among them the Kwale Teachers Training College in Bang’a – Kinango Sub County, and the Kombani Fresh Produce Wholesale Market in Kombani, Matuga Sub County.
On infrastructural development, Governor Mvurya stated that through partnership with the national government, several infrastructure projects have been accomplished, including the Samburu-Kinango, Kanana-Shimoni and the Lunga Lunga-Vanga roads.
“At the moment, the Dongo Kundu Southern Bypass Project is ongoing and is expected to be completed next year,” he added.
Speaking on Covid-19 pandemic, the Governor asked the people of Kwale to strictly observe all health regulations set by the national government to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“As a government we have already procured 340 isolation beds which are in our facilities and we are expecting to add more beds soon,” he said.
Last month, the County Government of Kwale opened a fully equipped Covid-19 Treatment Unit at the Msambweni County Referral Hospital with a bed capacity of 84 beds.
The Governor was accompanied by several county government officials among them County Executive Committee Members Nassib Nyahi (Tourism and Enterprise Development), Joanne Nyamasyo (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development) and Sylvia Chidodo (Public Service and Administration).
By Hussein Abdullahi
