Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has pledged to fast track operationalization of Lord Egerton Agro-industrial Park that will host a variety of industries, including agro processors, ICT hubs, energy-sector companies, engineering and construction firms and chemical industries.
Ms. Kihika said the agro-industrial park besides expanding the devolved unit’s opportunities as an industrial and economic hub, will create employment opportunities, improve the livelihoods in agriculture dependent regions, reduce post-harvest losses, contribute to food security and accelerate economic growth in the country.
The County Government, Egerton University and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are jointly building the facility on 200 acres at the University’s Ngongongeri farm in Njoro.
Private investors will also be attracted to the Industrial park in order to establish food processing plants that add value to agricultural produce.
The plan’s architects predict that the plan will create over 4,000 new jobs in the area of transformation in agriculture. The spatial plan includes the development of support infrastructure like power, water, and the park-ring road.
Ms. Kihika, while taking the oath, indicated that the state will provide support and infrastructure to attract investors. She also mentioned the importance of logistics and the introduction of new technologies into agricultural activities.
Highlighting her development agenda to the residents, the Governor noted that the project will connect the county with investments in the Central Rift which brings together seven counties in the agriculturally rich region.
“The park is expected to nurture, transfer and commercialize various innovations and technologies for the benefit of our people that have for a long time lagged behind in technology and innovation,” she noted.
She stated that the county will not spare resources to ensure the project is realized. “The industrial park is a great opportunity for young men and women to hone their skills and create jobs. The project will see investors set up industrial hubs as well as provide opportunities for Egerton University students to do research,” noted the governor.
She indicated that the agro-industrial park will offer leasing opportunities and essential services like water and electric power supply, consulting, telecommunications and other services.
“At the moment most of our exports are raw materials and commodities such as tea. We are also leaders in Africa in livestock, a traditional industry we are trying to modernize. The agroindustrial parks will ensure that the surplus is processed and valued added. We have a base on which to build and move forward” said the Governor.
Ms. Kihika affirmed that her administration will further prioritize the development of the multi-billion-shilling Naivasha Special Economic Zone Near the Inland Container Depot in Mai Mahiu, close 100 investors expressed an interest in the 50 acre plot.
She added: “We are determined to develop synergies between the Special Economic Zone and the Inland Container Depot. Among major projects expected on the land and around the 10km buffer zone include banks, hotels, housing estates, petrol stations, and hotels to be served by the Standard Gauge Railway,”
Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks are platforms that allow government and private sector to collaborate to foster innovation and collaboration.
Two years ago the national government hived 50 acres from the original 1,000 acres set for an industrial park and donated it to the county for development of a Special Economic Zone for small and medium enterprises.
The county has banned sub-division of land and development in the area of the buffer zone, which is required to prepare a master plan.
“Already the Inland Container Depot is operational and the county and national government are planning for water, electricity, housing, and waste management processes. The county government is determined to create an investment environment for investors in the region and Nakuru City will grow to a world-class economy with this special economic zone serving the country and east, and central Africa and the Horn of Africa,” she said.
She stated that Agro-industrial Parks and the Special Economic Zones will also improve infrastructure. County towns have a comparative advantage when it comes to setting up special economic zones. This is because the strategic location of the county town allows for easy access to other parts of the country as well as other countries in eastern Africa.
While hailing the Governor for her commitment to the Lord Egerton Agro-industrial Park project, the varsity’s Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kibwage said the facility will also integrate efficient and sustainable use of natural resources to fast track agro-industrial development of Kenya.
“We shall continue with our partnerships with the office of the Governor, state agencies and the private sector in ensuring the agro-processing sector – processed food, beverages, and livestock products – is one of the engines spurring future economic growth,” explained the Chancellor.
The Egerton agro-industrial parks will be supplemented with the Egerton agroscience park, the only park of its kind in Kenya and among the 14 in Africa. This park was established in 2011, with the aim of connecting the university and the industry to promote innovation and products that can be commercialized.
25 acres of land have been given to the Agroscience Park, which focuses its efforts on agriculture, science, and technology innovation in pursuit sustainable agricultural development. The land will be used for research and demonstration as well as infrastructure construction.
Professor Kibwage stated the agroindustrial Park will encourage the development of the agricultural sector. It will allow for the establishment of new manufacturing, processing, and sales of raw foods materials.
“Through its interventions, the project will create increases in productivity for priority value chains, integrate rural producers and SMEs with commercial value chains and markets, and encourage the inclusion of informal economic actors into the formal system.
Besides leveraging public sector resources to increase private sector investment in Kenya’s agro-food and allied sectors, the agro-industrial park will promote local value addition, enhance the business climate to mobilize private capital, and integrate youth into agriculture as a business and source of employment. These will support economic diversification and building of green industries” said the vice chancellor.
By Anne Mwale and Rachael Wangari
Source: kenyanews
