Business

State agencies directed to ensure Lamu Port comes into operation before June

Friday, May 7th, 2021 00:00 | By
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani (centre) addresses journalists at Lamu Port yesterday.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has directed government agencies tasked with actualising multi-billion Lamu Port to ensure they beat the May 30 deadline.

Yesterday Yatani confirmed the first ship will dock at the port on May 20. The facility is considered a lifeline for Lamu County.

Already, the county has exceed its annual revenue target as taxes and levies collected from hotels, land rates and other incomes continue to increase. 

The government is racing against time to realise full operation of the port, amid some pending key infrastructural challenges that will play critical role in the clearance and transhipment of cargo along the Lapsset corridor.

Speaking when he toured the port facility yesterday, Yatani asked Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standard (Kebs) to fast- track installation of key infrastructure to facilitate investment.

Working space

“We want to ask you to work round the clock to integrate all ICT systems in all agencies to ensure realignment of functions.

We know there are challenges, but you must ensure we make it by May 30,” said Yatani.

The agencies are grappling with shortage of modern working space, internet connectivity, recruitment of personnel, installation of key office equipments as well challenges of incomplete road network.

However, it remains to be seen how Kenya will utilise the three new berths at Lamu port.

The Lapsset report included a section on exports of livestock from Lamu port, and grounds were earmarked for holding and quarantining animals ahead of shipment.

Once operationalised, the project will directly benefit northern Kenya and Ethiopia, making the arid region business ready.

Speaking alongside his Petroleum and Mining counterpart John Munyes when the two met shipping and transport stakeholders, Yatani announced that the government was keen to ensure smooth operation of the facility.

Fully completed

However, there are fears that commencement of transpipment may be delayed as section of the 113 km road from Lamu to Garsene is yet to be fully completed while the intented new Lapset Corridor may be delayed as a sesult of security concerns.

“We understand the road project between Garsene and Lamu will be completed by Mid-June, so we are urging Kenya National Highways Authority to ensure work is completed to facilitate transhipment,” Yatani said.

The first Birth and yard at the Multi-Billion Lamu Port is 100 percent complete and ready to receive Vessels,While berths two and three,yards are still under construction.

  Players drawn from the Kenya ships agents association said now wants the government to increase the intensive period to ensure players get relief during the first year of operations. 

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