By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The government is racing against time to deliver one of the biggest cargos to ever be received at the Lamu Port.
The 60,000-tonne fertiliser cargo destined to Ethiopia has been stuck at the port due to the floods that have damaged part of the Lamu-Witu-Garsen Road.
As part of efforts to hasten transport of the cargo, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen ok Wednesday toured the road.
In a statement, Murkomen said “we will do all in our power to facilitate the shipment of goods, including the 60,000-tonne fertiliser cargo destined for Ethiopia, in spite of a damaged section of the Lamu-Witu-Garsen road due to floods.”
According to the CS, the consignment is the largest to ever dock in Kenya and served as a vote of confidence in the LAPSSET Corridor development and the Port of Lamu.
The Lamu Port is Kenya’s second maritime hub after the Port of Mombasa.
During his tour of the damaged road, the Transport CS said he conveyed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to facilitating the evacuation of the consignment through an alternative route as the water subsides and repairs start in earnest.
“Part of our long-term solution is to fast-track the completion of the 256km Lamu-Ijara road and ensure it is completed by February 2025,” Murkomen said.
He further noted that Lamu Port is strategically positioned to be the port of call for goods destined for Northern Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Once its potential is attained, the Lamu Port is billed to help create jobs and grow the economies of towns along the corridor.