Coast region leaders have been urged to spearhead resource mobilization efforts to enable the Coast Development Authority (CDA), to exploit the blue economy and improve livelihoods fully.CDA is making strides in harnessing the blue economy, which has the potential to create thousands of job opportunities across the region.
By leveraging resources along the 600-kilometre coastline and the 200 nautical miles within the Exclusive Economic Zone, the Authority plans to initiate sustainable infrastructure projects.
Speaking during the official unveiling of Acting Managing Director (MD), Dr Mwanasiti Bendera, CDA Board Chairman Mzee Mwinyi noted that the Authority has developed a comprehensive framework for the blue economy.
“We want to take full advantage of it and lobby for resources so that we can take advantage of the resources for the benefit of our people,” he stated, adding that their main focus is on aquaculture and mariculture.
Coast residents were encouraged to diversify into seaweed farming and cage fishing to boost their livelihoods.
The Chairman highlighted the lack of adequate infrastructure along many beaches from Vanga in Kwale County to Kiunga in Lamu County, which continues to hinder large-scale fishing. He expressed concern that many fisherfolk still live from hand to mouth.
“We still lag in infrastructure. We haven’t fully tapped into the ocean itself; per se. we haven’t fully taken advantage of it. Intentionally, we have developed models on how we can do seaweed farming and cage fishing along the coast region,” said the Chairman.
He further called for the institutionalisation of blue economy studies at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, with the development of courses on cage fishing and seaweed farming, to equip youth with relevant knowledge and skills.
“My focus is on that. I am really trying to lobby for support from our government, which has assisted us since the inception of CDA. We need more support, especially from Coast politicians. We need that political goodwill,” he said.
He went on, “We need more support in terms of funding for CDA. So that we can implement projects and our ideas. That we know can assist the coastal people.”
The Incoming CDA Ag. Managing Director, Dr Mwanasiti Bendera, promised to reposition the Authority to be the driving force of the development agenda in the region.
“Over the years, CDA has been underfunded, which is why we have been having challenges in realising our mandate, but now there is a new dawn. There is enhanced effort by the government and the board of directors, and management of CDA in resource mobilisation,” she said.
The Ag. MD noted that 70 per cent of the coast region is Arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), hence vulnerable to the vagaries of climate change and other calamities.
She further underscored the need to capitalise on the abundance of natural resources that exist in the region to spur sustainable development and community empowerment.
“Our biggest resource in the region is the sea and marine resources. The blue economy initiative, climate change adaptation and resilience programmes, including drought mitigation and development of strategic water structures, among others, are priority programmes for CDA,” stated the Ag. MD.
“By adopting an integrated approach, we aim to reduce vulnerability, spur economic growth and enhance resilience in the Coast region,” she emphasised.
By Sadik Hassan
