Kenya has inched closer to becoming a world maritime hub following the near completion of its world class Maritime Headquarters in Mombasa.
Transport Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Wavinya Ndeti, confirmed that the Sh2 billion building will house the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTTC) for Africa region and become a one-stop-shop for Africa maritime affairs.
The MTCC is one of the five centres the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will set up globally.
Kenya Maritime Authority is a government parastatal tasked with regulation of maritime affairs.
“When completed, the building will be the hub for maritime activities. It will house a number of new government agencies set up to deliver a sustainable blue economy,” said Ndeti, during an inspection tour at the facility in Mbaraki, Mombasa.
The CAS said the growth of the maritime sector has led to an enlarged mandate for the Authority and increased workforce to deliver on the Country’s extensive maritime agenda.
According to John Omingo, Kenya Maritime Head of Shipping Affairs, confirmed that the building is 94 percent complete and will be ready to accommodating other agencies between July and August 2021.
“It will be a landmark in Mombasa in offering capacity building for seafarers, it’s now 94 percent complet and will be ready to accommodate new offices by August,” said Omingo who was accompanied by the Transport CAS.
According to Omingo the Headquarters conveys the Authority’s recognition of great maritime potential at the Coast and its ability to benefit the country’s economy in general.
The construction work of the 18-storey building, which started in February, last year, has severally been delayed due to some approval challenges.
Initially the government had announced Sh1.8 billion as the original cost but the cost has kept on fluctuating.
“By the time it’s fully complete, it will have cost the government Sh2 billion,” said Ndeti.
The new office complex being constructed by Epco Builders Limited will have an 18-floor state-of-the-art office block, complete with an observatory level and a roof level featuring a helipad.
The external component of the block will include a bio-digester, parking space, entry and exit gates with a sentry box.
By Chari Suche
