The Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, has called for faster completion of Nasewa County Aggregation and Industrial Park by November to pave the way for investors in the project.
Speaking during the inspection tour at the project on Thursday, Kinyanjui said the delay in completion of the project is denying many farmers’ incomes from benefits of processing their farm produce that will be done at the CAIP.
“When the project is done, those with industries dealing with food processing, value addition, edible oils, nuts, cotton and even peanut butter will establish their industry here so that farmers from this area can bring their produce here. This will create jobs for our youth and improve the production of our farm produce.”
He disclosed that the national government has already given out its share of Sh250 million towards the partnership project in which the national and county government were to give Sh250 million each.
“We are asking for partnership between the national and county government so that the project can be completed on time. This will bring many investors who are seeking an opportunity to produce for the export market especially for the East Africa community to start their work that will help our people in terms of marketing their products and job creation, ‘he said.
The CS further said that the location of the facility at the border will give opportunity for the products produced at Nasewa to be sold in Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and DRC adding that it will be a good source to export produce.
“We are going to have a tarmac road that comes up to the place. The government will also increase the connectivity of electricity and water so that we can develop the place to be an urban area. This place is the center of hope, growth and employment for the people of Nasewa” he said.
Busia Deputy Governor, Arthur Odera, admitted there are challenges that have delayed the completion of the project assuring that the existing challenges have been resolved and the project will continue conclusion.
“We have instructed the contractor to start the work and ensure the work is completed in a short time. We have given out our money and what we are waiting for is the certificate of completion from the contractor for us to pay him,’ he said.
The project that was expected to be completed by June 2025, has been delayed due to failure by the County Government to complete its side of the bargain of Sh250 million.
By Salome Alwanda
