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 An assessment report on Government development projects in Coast has signalled impressive progress.

 Government Spokesperson Colonel (rtd) Cyrus Oguna, who was on a verification tour at the Sh45 billion Dongo Kundu project in Mombasa, hailed the progress, saying the region is bound to economically benefit once the projects are complete.

 Accompanied by Regional Commissioner John Elungata and Presidential Delivery Unit officials, Col Oguna said the government has invested in the project to boost the region economically by establishing a special economic zone in the coming days.

 He also observed the special economic zone will directly employ approximately 300,000 people and up to three million indirect beneficiaries.

Speaking in Mombasa yesterday, Oguna observed that the project would generally empower residents and the country’s economy through the Sh45 billion injected into the project.

Development of the Mombasa Port area is being implemented in three phases.

The first Miritini Kipevu Road  being  refurbished to  a tune of Sh11 billion is 100 per cent completion.

 Phase two of the project,  construction of Mwache junction  and Tsunza Island, which involves a lot of undersea works will is at 14 per cent progress.

The projects will consume Sh24 billion while the third phase between Muteza and Kibundani is at 60 per cent progress.

 The installations at the special economic zones, including water and electricity and other drivers of the development in the area will cost an additional Sh2.1 billion. 

Oguna defended the government’s development record in the Coast region, saying it tops the country in terms of development projects.

 He said completion of the Mombasa Dongo Kundu  project will save commuters time, where they would initially cover 62 kilometers to access the other side of the ocean now needing less than 30 minutes via the new road and bridges network.

 Oguna further revealed that the entire Coast region has 455 development projects under the national government and its partners geared to ensure no Kenyan is left behind in development.

 Economic decline

Rtd Colonel Oguna reiterated the government’s commitment to fight corona scourge and caled on the public  to observe guidelines that include social distancing, washing hands, wearing facemasks, avoiding crowded areas among others.

On the ongoing Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) quest for referendum, Oguna noted that post election violence witnessed in the country after every election will be a thing of the past since BBI has the solution in its recommendations.

 He said the violence witnessed cost the country lives and billions of shillings in property losses, economic decline adding that peace is equally expensive and comes at a cost too as projected in the implementation of the BBI. 

“Violence has a cost and if BBI will bring peace then be it” Said Oguna

 Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata assured residents of their security, especially during the upcoming festive season. 

Elungata  said the region has enjoyed peace with no violence incidences in recent months.

He also urged residents  to maintain the same including the coming by-elections in Msambweni and Taita Taveta on December 15th.

 Elungata called on the residents to observe the Covid protocols since anyone found breaching them will be arrested and arraigned in court.

 The chief engineer Mombasa development project, a Mr Lao, regretted the delays occasioned by the covid pandemic that restricted movements thus affecting the delivery of the project on stipulated timelines.

 Lao, however, hinted through the application of improved technology with his team, they will work to complete the project in time.

 Initially the project period was estimated at 48 months where the chief engineer said it is possible to complete the works in less than the initial project period.