The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), is aiming to rehabilitate feeder port along the shores Lake Victoria in Homa Bay County.
Joseph Kibwana (KPA Board Chairman) stated that among the feeder port to be restored are the piers of Mbita, Homa Bay or Kendu Bay.
Kibwana said that they have sent their technical team to the sites to conduct feasibility studies before the projects kick off noting the piers were characterized by serious dilapidation and could no longer support docking of ships as was the case decades back.
“The poor state predisposes human lives to risks of drowning in the lake too,” he noted.
The remarks were made by Kibwana during an inspection tour of the site Wednesday. She was accompanied by Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Governor, and Moses Lilan, County Commissioner.
He stated that after their assessment, the technical personnel will inform the KPA management about what is needed to restore the lost glory of the feeder port.
“We are going to start our activities of rehabilitating the feeder ports in Homa Bay after receiving the assessment report from our technical staff. Our main objective is to rehabilitate the feeder ports to enable the people of Homa Bay benefit,” said Kibwana.
He stated that the intention was to ensure efficient movement for large vessels, such as ships and ferry from Kisumu to Mbita via Kendu Bay/Homa Bay towns through Lake Victoria.
Wanga stated that the project will increase economic development in the county. Additionally, the large vessels can transport water to Lake Victoria. This will help boost the local economy.
“The local economy would benefit when ships begin carrying cargo and passengers in our county,” said Wanga.
She stated that the transportation will also benefit the agricultural sector by enabling farmers transport their produce to other areas more easily.
“We are going to collaborate with KPA to promote this project so that it comes to fruition,” Wanga said.
Lilan, on the other hand, stated that restoring the feeder ports would reduce the number of accidents in the lake.
“We lost ten people at Homa Bay Pier last year. Rehabilitating this place will reduce such accidents,” Lilan said.
He stated that the rehabilitation will solve security issues in the lake.
“We find difficulties in accessing some parts of the lake because the piers are dilapidated. This programme will help us address security issues in the lake more efficiently,” Lilan said.
By Davis Langat
Source: kenyanews
