Lapsset to get additional Sh20b, Ruto says

The government will release Sh20 billion for the ongoing construction of Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor project at Kililana in Lamu West.

The money would be in addition to Sh15 billion already spent in funding the project, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Speaking at Mokowe, Faza, Witu and Mpeketoni during his last leg of a two-day tour of Lamu County, Mr Ruto assured residents that the Jubilee Administration was doing its best to ensure that all mega projects intended to be established in Lamu were successfully implemented on time.

The government would continue to implement the Lapsset and other projects including the Sh200 billion Coal Plant and the Sh21 billion Wind Power project which would open up Kenya’s northern frontier to more trade and investment, he said.

He termed the Lapsset as a crucial project since it is bound to change the course of Lamu’s economy and that of the country.

“Last year, the government released Sh5 billion for Lapsset. This year, Sh 10 billion was issued for the same,’’ the DP said.

The Sh1.5 trillion project includes a 32-berth port, transportation hubs for rail, highway and international airports in Lamu, Isiolo and Lodwar, an oil pipeline, an oil refinery and three resort cities in Isiolo, Lamu and Turkana.

Construction of the first three berths which are to cost the government Sh42 billion is yet to be commissioned.

So far construction of the Lapsset hadquarters which cost Sh866 million and a police station is already complete at the port site in Kililana.

During his address at Mokowe, Mr Ruto also announced that a further Sh7.1 billion has been released, for construction of the 135 kilometre Lamu-Garsen Highway which has been in bad state for years.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy lauded Mr Ruto and the government’s efforts and termemd the DP’s tour of the county as crucial for development.