Kenya Pipeline to construct oil depot in Voi town

Taita-Taveta County Executive Committee (CEC) member in-charge of Environment and Natural Resource Elijah Mwandoe addressing a meeting at Sagala location before he received his interdiction on Wednesday 13th August 2014. [Photo by Renson Mnyamwezi/STANDARD]

Taita Taveta, Kenya: Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC) plans to build an oil depot in Voi town to serve the Tanzanian market and neighbouring counties.

Energy Executive Elijah Mwandoe yesterday that the county government had set aside 10 acres of land in the outskirts of the town for the project.

Speaking in Voi town yesterday, Eng Mwandoe said the facility once completed would go a long way in boosting the county's economic growth.

"KPC has signed a pact with the county administration to establish a full oil station. We have already identified land along the Nairobi-Mombasa for the project, which will boost Voi's economy," said the executive.

Currently, the nearest and only one oil depot in the region is in Mombasa city.

Mwandoe said the project will help expand trade and create job opportunities among the local youth and residents, and asked area leaders to support it.

STRATEGIC LOCATION

Another 100 acres of land has been set aside for the construction of an Dry Port and Car Bazaar to ease imported car congestion at the Mombasa port.

The proposed car bazaar will include storage and clearing facilities for imported vehicles, customs offices and support amenities like offices, banks, hotels and restaurants.

Mwandoe said the two flagship projects would greatly improve the county government's revenue base.

He said Voi town is strategically located along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa highway and was endowed with excellent investment opportunities. Once fully tapped, the investments would contribute immensely to the socio-economic status of the local community.

"The town is not only accessible to the rest of Kenya but is also at the cross roads of the Northern Corridor, and the Taveta road to Tanzania," said Mwandoe.

He encouraged more people to invest in the town as it had the necessary infrastructure, among other support facilities.

Mwandoe cited the ongoing rehabilitation of Mwatate-Taveta road that connects Kenya with East and Central African countries, saying it will boost regional trade in the region