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Milliam Murigi @millymur1

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states have come up with a Regional Infrastructure Master Plan (IRIMP) that will address the problem of inadequate and poor regional infrastructure networks, connectivity and efficiency.

During a consultative meeting to assess the development of the plan in Nairobi last week, IGAD director Elsadig Abdalla said that the master plan will specifically talk to the unique needs of the IGAD region taking into consideration of other factors, such as fragility, drought proneness and gender.

The meeting was meant educate and inform stakeholders of the way projects will be designed in environmental and socially acceptable manner with the necessary mitigation measures.

“Once finalised, the master plan, which is due in December 2020 will clearly identify priority infrastructure projects that will be implemented in the short term by 2025 and the long term by 2050, in the sectors of transport, energy, ICT and trans-boundary water,” he said.

This will result in a broader positive socioeconomic development impact; physical and economic integration; job creation; enhanced opportunities for women (particularly in easing cross-border trade), increased business opportunities, improved access to infrastructure services, and generally improved quality of life of the majority of the population in the IGAD region.

Prof Muawia Shaddad, IGAD Chair said the master plan will provide guidance on the process of selection and implementation of regional infrastructure projects at the level of feasibility assessments, preparation for bank ability and investment as well as a common infrastructure development programme.

“The master plan will provide infrastructure support for regional integration, within the context of the regional economic integration agenda once finalised,” said Shaddad.

“Lack of adequate and regionally integrated infrastructure has been one of the binding constraints to unlocking Africa’s vast productive capacities.

IRIMP comes in to address this, and solve the problem of inadequate and poor regional infrastructure networks, connectivity and efficiency,” he added.