Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho has issued a three-month ultimatum to the contractor handling the long-awaited Sh1.4 billion National Mariculture Resource and Training project (Namaret) in Shimoni, Kwale County.

Joho, who spoke during the official launch of Kenya’s first National Marine Hatchery in Shimoni, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the slow pace of construction.

He noted that the project, which was expected to be completed by the sixth of next month, was still lagging at just 40 percent completion.

“The agreement was clear, this project should have been ready next month. I don’t know what magic you will do, but I am giving you three months to finish it,” said Joho.

He said that further delays would not be tolerated, especially considering the project’s importance to the coastal economy and the livelihoods of local fisherfolk and traders.

Creating jobs

Joho also said that President William Ruto is committed to creating job opportunities and empowering livelihoods through development projects such as Namaret.

He added that delays in such key projects paint a bad picture to a government that is fully committed to enhancing service delivery and growing both the local and national economy.

Joho warned that the government will not tolerate substandard work or delays in crucial projects. He said the government had already paid the contractor millions of shillings and cleared all necessary documentation, and therefore expects nothing less than quality and timely delivery.

“We will not entertain nonsense where contractors play around with public money and deliver shoddy work. Every document has been processed, and payments made. Now it’s time to deliver,” he said.

The CS said that accountability must be upheld, adding that such negligence not only wastes public funds but also delays development and frustrates government’s projects.

Project completion

He directed the contractor to fast-track the remaining work and ensure the project is completed within the given time, warning of consequences in case of further delays.

The CS further threatened to blacklist the contractor and others who fail to meet expectations, warning that the government would no longer allow incompetent service providers to misuse public resources.

“We will make it our business to ensure that if contractors misbehave, they never do any business with this government again,” he said.

He said the contractor must finish the project so that the government can move to other planned developments.

The CS hinted that further discussions with the contractor would take place to iron out the remaining issues.

Joho said in partnership with the Kwale government, they will closely monitor the project to ensure it becomes successful. He called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure the project is delivered within the new timeframe.

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani also echoed Joho’s sentiments, urging the contractor to work around the clock and complete the project without any further excuses. Achani said that Kwale residents have high hopes for the Namaret project, which is expected to uplift local communities by unlocking the vast potential of the blue economy.

“The people of Kwale are banking on this project to transform their lives. The contractor should not play with the dreams of our people,” she said.

The Namaret project is a flagship initiative under the Blue Economy sector.

Once completed, it is expected to boost marine resource management, improve fish landing infrastructure, and create economic opportunities for coastal communities.