Stop c*mplaining about Port of Mombasa, Kuria tells Coast region leaders
Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria yesterday castigated Coast leadership for what he said were endless lamentations about operations at the Port of Mombasa.
Kuria said a section of Coast leaders have perfected the art of complaining about being sidelined on matters of development instead of seeking dialogue with the national government to iron out issues and create solutions.
While not stating the government’s position on the port’s privatisation stalemate, Kuria said his ministry would continue to source investors to spur development in the Port of Mombasa, Lamu and other parts of the region.
“You know what the economy looks like, and if we get investors in, we ask our leaders to open their hearts and open the door and let development thrive,”said Kuria.
Kuria said leaders should look for solutions instead of lamenting, adding that the government had no plans to hurt the economy of the Coast region.
“We ask your leaders including your governor to learn to hold dialogue and and work together because if we don’t have money we need to allow investors to come in,” he said.
Kuria was responding remarks by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Jomvu MP Badi Twalib who accused the government for undertaking concessions at the port without involving local leadership.
“We have gotten investors who are implementing projects at Dongo Kundu at Sh150 billion. We didn’t have that money. We are doing an extension of the SGR. These are things we should support as leaders,” said Kuria.
Nassir said Mombasa should get a fair share of the port revenue just like other counties benefit from revenues from national reserves and parks.
“When we speak, we represent the people. Nobody is opposed to development but we can’t accept to be taken for granted. We will not be in a conversation where our people are sidelined,” said Nassir.
Twalib said the government should come clean on the port matter.
They were speaking in the Miritini area after groundbreaking the construction of a Sh500 million Industrial park which will be jointly funded by the national and county governments.
