World Bank unveils Sh3.5b economic project

By PHILIP MWAKIO

The World Bank has unveiled a project aimed at unlocking the economic potential of the Kenyan Coast.

The six-year Kenya Coastal Development Project (KCDP) will be based at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and headed by Dr Jacquieline Uku, who will be assisted by four component managers.

While presiding over the launch of the Sh3.5 billion World Bank financed projects last week, Fisheries Development Minister Amason Kingi said their implementation has been long overdue.

"This is a demand driven project, which captures prevailing developmental challenges and identifies opportunities that can easily tap the immense potential inherent in the Coast region,’’ Kingi said.

Poverty

Kingi pointed out that KCDP is a multi-disciplinary project cutting across several institutions and mandates. "This project has brought together several players including the Ministry of Finance, Fisheries, Lands, Environment, Wildlife and Forestry and Regional Development,’’ he said.

The four components making the project include sustainable management of fishery resources, sound management of natural resources, support for alternative livelihoods, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, communication and implementation of the Coast Village Fund. During a ceremony at KMFRI headquarters in Mombasa, Kingi said despite the Coast region having abundant resources, the area still has one of the highest poverty indices in the country.

Kingi, who was accompanied by Assistant Minister Abu Chiaba and Permanent Secretary Prof Ntiba Micheni, thanked the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the World Bank for the support they have accorded the venture.

Vital part

Coast MPs under Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) indicated their support for the project.

CPG chairman Ben Gunda (Bahari) and Gideon Mungaro (Malindi) said they fully supported the project that aimed at harnessing wealth creation and empower residents economically as envisaged in Vision 2030.

A representative from the World Bank, Christian Peters, said after the project acquired funding, the most difficult and vital part would be its implementation.

"The project has gained impressive ownership across all the agencies involved in its implementation and must involve the community fully,’’ he said.