Raila Odinga launches mega project in efforts of boosting Blue Economy

Raila Odinga has today presided over the launch of a mega project  which will revitalize Lake Victoria in the efforts of boosting the blue economy.

The project, will also include eradication of water hyacinth and removal of sediments to open up the lakeside port.

The opposition party leader commended all the relevant stakeholders involved in this undertaking and wished them all the best in the months ahead.

According to the Kenya Ports Authority head of Inland Waterways Javan Wanga while speaking at the Kisumu Port said,  the exercise will cover 62 kilometres and will take at least 30 months to complete.

He further added saying that the shoreline would be drilled to at least six metres to allow berthing of heavily loaded ships.

“The pier has accumulated residues over the years and has made some areas shallow up to a level of between 1.5 and three metres deep,” he said.

In addition the landing bay would be widened to around 80 metres to enable it to accommodate two ships at a time.

“The government is committed to revitalising the lake for optimisation of the blue economy and make the lake beneficial to the economy of the region,”  said Wanga.

The Blue Economy agenda  was  fueled after the conference that was held last year with key stakeholders.

During the conference, Kenyatta emphasized that in line with enhancing the Blue Economy, efforts will be made to upgrade Kenya’s maritime school and in enhancing security and safety of the collective waters among other actions.

“We have convened here today to commit to innovative and transformative ways of using and sustaining our oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. We know that, unless our environmental riches are protected, there can be no lasting prosperity for any of us.” He said

He mentioned that, Mombasa and Kisumu in particular, offer investment opportunities in renewable energy, tourism, fish processing and storage, maritime transport, and shipping among others. He called on investors to take advantage of more opportunities available in water supply, sanitation and waste management.

In the spirit of handshake Raila Odinga has today  presided this launch which marks a milestone in the Blue Economy sector.

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *