{{Kenya has set up an autonomous agency to manage the implementation of a mega infrastructure project targeted at improving trade with its neighbours South Sudan and Ethiopia.}}
President Mwai Kibaki said the Lamu Port Southern Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (Lapsset) Development Authority will manage the project on behalf of the government.
“The headquarters of the authority shall be in Nairobi with field offices in Lamu, Isiolo, Lokichoggio, Marsabit and Moyale,” the President said in a special gazette notice.
It will be run by a director-general under an 11-member board that includes five State officials, five private sector representatives and a chairman appointed by the President.
The project entails construction of a new sea port at Manda as well as standard gauge railway lines from Lamu to South Sudan with branches to Nairobi and Ethiopia from a hub in Isiolo.
It will entail the construction of a highway from Lamu to Isiolo with an extension to Nadapal/Nakodok in South Sudan and another link to Addis Ababa through Moyale.
Lapsset further targets the construction of a crude oil pipeline from Lamu to South Sudan and Addis Ababa, international airports at Isiolo, Lamu and Lake Turkana and resort cities at Lamu, Isiolo and Lake Turkana, merchant oil refinery at Lamu among others.
As well as cutting over-reliance on the Mombasa port, the project is aimed at deepening trade in east Africa and opening up northern Kenya, a vast area whose economy lags the rest of the country.
The new agency is expected to push for public private partnerships (PPPs) to help with the implementation.
The government last month activated a new law on PPPs, raising hope for increased funding towards the implementation of capital-intensive plans such as energy and road infrastructure development.
Finance minister Njeru Githae said the Public Private Partnerships Act came into effect on February 8, paving the way for improved joint ventures with the private sector in key projects.
readmore…….http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Kibaki-sets-up-agency-to-run-Lamu-port-project/-/539546/1735498/-/3ht8pwz/-/index.html
Leave a Reply