Lamu wants share of coal plant profits

A section of Members of the Lamu County Assembly want 30 per cent of the profits gained from the coal power plant project, once completed, to remain in the county to benefit the local population.

On Wednesday last week, the County Assembly unanimously passed a motion approving the proposed Sh180 billion Amu Power Plant to be set up at Kwasasi in Hindi Division of Lamu in accordance with the County Governments Act.

Witu Ward representative Athman Amin, Kiunga Ward representative Omar Said Lali and nominated MCAs Husni Alawi and Muthoni Marubu said Amu Power should consider 30 per cent of the profits remaining in Lamu instead of all the proceeds going to the national Government.

Mr Husni said there was need for a Memorandum of Understanding between governor Issa Timamy, the local community, Amu Power and the assembly on the issue.

“We have seen counties like Turkana where oil was discovered entering into agreements with the stakeholders on the same matter. If Turkana agreed for 30 per cent of the profits to remain in the county, then we also require the same with the coal power project. We will not allow everything to go to the national government,” said Mr Husni.

Mr Amin said the major reason behind the move to adopt the project was the employment opportunities that would be provided to the youth in the region.

Additionally, the project would put Lamu on the map in as far as investment and commercial growth were concerned.

EMPLOY LOCALS

Mr Amin urged the plant managers to ensure they give priority to locals when recruiting employees.

He also stated that the project could go ahead on condition that the pending Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report addresses all potentially adverse effects of the proposed plant.

Mr Lali said the establishment of such a project in the region would bring pride to Lamu.

“As a county, we will be lucky to have the firm invest all the Sh180 billion and more in the county. The economy of Lamu needs that.

“I want to encourage other investment ideas. The county is open to all with productive ideas provided they benefit our people. We are now looking forward to seeing Lamu rise as a result,” he said.

The project had earlier gotten a mixed reception from locals and leaders, with many questioning the effects of such a project on the health of locals and on the environment.

The project is expected to generate about 981.5 megawatts of electricity once completed.

Amu Power is a consortium comprised of two Kenyan companies who are co-sponsors, Gulf Energy and Centum Investment.

Once approved, construction will commence by September this year and is expected to last for approximately 21 months.

The Coal plant is expected to occupy over 870 acres of land at Kwasasi.