Deputy Governor concerned about encroachment on Lapsset land

Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter (left), Uganda's Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Irene Muloni (second from left) and other officials listen to Sylvester Kasuku (third from left), the director-general of the Lamu Port and Lamu-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor Project, when they toured a project site in Lamu on March 23, 2016. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Deputy Governor Eric Mugo says Lamu had witnessed an increase in the number of encroachers occupying areas bordering the Lapsset corridor project in recent days.
  • He says the county government has initiated a five-year spatial plan that will help to regulate land acquisition in the county to avoid unplanned settlement.

Lamu Deputy Governor Eric Mugo has expressed concern over the high number of people encroaching on land earmarked for the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor Project.

Part of the Sh2.5 trillion project is set to be established at Kililana in Hindi Division.

Mr Mugo said on Tuesday that the county had witnessed an increase in the number of encroachers occupying areas bordering the Lapsset corridor project in recent days.

He said the county government had initiated a five-year spatial plan that will help to regulate land acquisition in the county to avoid unplanned settlement.

The official was speaking at the launch of the Lamu County Geographical Information System (GIS) Lab at Mokowe Ardhi House. He said that there was need for a strategic plan that would regulate the implementation and execution of local development projects.

At the function, the World Wide Fund (WWF) presented Sh2 million equipment—including a survey plotter machine and computers—to the lab.

Mr Mugo thanked the organisation and said that such equipment would boost their efforts in conducting land surveys.

“The multitrillion-shilling Lapsset project has attracted immense speculation,” said Mr Mugo. “This has, subsequently, led to an increase in illegal land practices.

He said: “Through proper planning, we will not have issues of unplanned settlement in future”.

Mr Mugo said that the county had set aside Sh20 million to carry out the spatial planning process this financial year.

WWF conservations director Jared Bosire promised to ensure the organisation fully supported the county government in its development endeavours. He said WWF had given Sh21 million in cash to aid in the spatial plan.

“We will support the county to ensure it progresses well with its development endeavours,” said Dr Bosire.