The national government is keen to fast-track several multibillion shillings of key infrastructure projects in the counties through the National Government Development-County Implementation, Coordination and Management Committees (NGD-CICMC).
These interventions not only address long-standing challenges but also accelerate development across key sectors in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation agenda (BETA).
Kwale County Commissioner (CC) Stephen Orinde who is also the chairman of the NGD-CICMC says the state is keen to complete ongoing public infrastructure projects to foster socio-economic growth and improve connectivity.
He noted that the government continues to deliver and accelerate transformative infrastructural projects across the coastal county.
CC Orinde said the government seeks to wrap up the ongoing megaprojects as swiftly as possible so that they could fully contribute to the economy at large.
“The NGD-CICMC is determined to speed up the delivery of major infrastructure projects so that they support economic growth and enhance connectivity and transport links,” he said.
He said the government is taking steps to ensure the high-quality and durable projects are completed within set timelines and budgets for efficient project management.
The county administrator stated that the projects would assist in creating new jobs, expanding commercial prospects, and promoting local economies.
He directed the contractors to expedite the work on delayed projects, address pending issues, and improve overall transparency and efficiency of the projects to ensure the projects are completed within the specified timeframe.
Some of the key projects being implemented in Kwale include the Sh20 billion Mwache multipurpose dam, the Sh173,702,296 million Diani airport expansion project and the Sh538 million Mwachande bridge that seeks to connect Msambweni and Lunga Lunga sub counties.
Others are the Sh1.15 billion Funzi causeway off the Milalani-Munje Road, the construction of the Sh3 billion Kwale-Kinango road, the Sh606 million regional maritime transport and port logistics centre and the Sh500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) among other significant projects.
Also ongoing in the region is the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) that seeks to create opportunities for better living conditions.
Ongoing AHP in the area includes the Matuga 200 units, Diani Whitehouse 200 units and Mbokoni smart city 155 units and the construction of the Diani modern fresh produce market.
“These projects seek to improve local connectivity and address Kwale’s significant infrastructure deficit,” said Orinde, adding that the projects were expected to ease traffic, support local businesses, and promote economic development.
He said the extensive infrastructure projects traversed an area where fishing, agriculture and tourism are the main economic activities.
Orinde, who was accompanied by Esther Mazera in charge of the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) in Kwale and Cindy Kuria from the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, was speaking when he led the NGD-CICMC Kwale team in an inspection tour of the development projects.
He said the inspections were intended to assess project progress, address challenges and ensure the timely completion of the megaprojects, stressing that no project should take longer than the stipulated time.
The Kwale-Kinango road which is 21 per cent complete is being implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the scope of work includes upgrading to bitumen standards as well as building bridges, drainage works and road furniture.
The highly important Funzi causeway will be the only link between Funzi island and Kwale mainland and will be used by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles that service the island’s tourism attractions and fishing industry.
The new causeway over the Funzi creek is a gamechanger for the island dwellers and visitors in terms of improving accessibility, especially during high tide.
It is expected to be the lifeline for residents to venture out and get back to the island at will instead of waiting for low tides or walking around a treacherous outcrop of rocks and reefs to get back home.
The expansion and upgrade of the Diani airport is a transformative project that is set to elevate Kwale as a key hub for trade and tourism and aims to position it at par with international standards.
Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) Coast Regional Manager Eng. Wellington Abwok says the airport project which is 97 percent complete would accommodate larger-bodied aircraft, boost tourism and enhance revenue collection.
He stated that the construction of the runway, taxi lanes, apron, watchtower and other related works at the domestic airport are almost complete.
“The expansion initiative such as upgrading the airport apron, taxiway, drainage and other aviation-related infrastructure aims to accommodate growing passenger traffic and larger aircraft,” he said.
Eng. Abwok, who was flanked by Diani Airport Manager Bernadine Mundui said the airport has witnessed a steady rise in passenger traffic in recent years especially during the peak tourist seasons.
He said the government is going to provide the funding and is dedicated to accelerating the delivery of key infrastructure, as well as strengthening and improving existing projects.
Ms Mazera said the GDU was optimistic that the ongoing construction projects would meet their initial completion deadlines and generate the expected economic growth.
By Hussein Abdullahi
