High cost of land in Kenya threatens infrastructure projects, Roads PS John Mosonik says

Transport and Infrastructure Principal Secretary Eng. John Mosonik inspects the repair and rehabilitation of the 18-kilometre section of the Mwatate-Wudanyi road.

MOMBASA: The Principal Secretary PS in the Roads and Infrastructure Development ministry Dr John Mosonik has said the high cost of land is a leading impediment to development of roads and other infrastructure.

Dr Mosonik said in Mombasa yesterday that the cost of acquiring land is almost equal to the amount of money required to build roads particularly in Mombasa and Nairobi.

For instance, the PS noted that the government will spend Sh2.1 billion to acquire land for the construction of Mogongo Road, Airport Access Road and Port Reitz Road in Changamwe, Mombasa county, measuring a total of 6.4kms at a cost of Sh3 billion.

He was speaking when he inspected the project being undertaken by the China Wu Yi Company. The project set to be completed in 15 months is expected to improve the evacuation of containers from Mombasa port's second container terminal due to be completed in March next year and also ease the flow of traffic to the Moi international airport.

He was flanked by Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) project manager Engineer Kevin Nyabuto, representatives of the contractor and ministry officials.

"National Land Commission report indicates that land compensation will require about Sh2.1 billion," said the PS.

Dr Mosonik noted that the government will relocate the residents at a cost of Sh200 million, adding cost of the project.

Kenya Power has given a Sh153 million quotation, Mombasa Water Company Sh25 million and Telkom Kenya Sh15 million to relocate their infrastructure from the project area.

And the PS ruled any compensation for developers who encroached the road reserves and warned that they would instead be taken to court.

"Those who encroached road reserves will have their property demolished without being compensated and will also gave legal action," Mosonik warned.

Engineer Nyabuto told Mombasa residents to brace for inconveniences during the construction period as traffic would be diverted in some areas.

"We have however drawn a traffic management plan to ensure minimum disruption of normal traffic flow during the construction period. The contractor will start with the expanded areas while the traffic will use the existing roads. This worked very well during the construction of the Thika highway," Nyabuto explained.

KeNHA and the contractor will work closely with the Mombasa county government to manage traffic during the construction phase, he said.

Dr Mosonik was later joined by Kenya Ports Authority managing director Gichiri Ndua and other port chiefs when he toured the second container terminal which is expected to be completed in March next year.

Meanwhile, the PS noted that the Government has allocated more than Sh40 billion for infrastructure project in Mombasa county taking a lion's share of the ministry's Sh100 billion allocation.

He noted the first phase of the construction of the southern bypass or Dongo Kundu project was underway at a cost of Sh11 billion, adding that the formal launch would take place next month.

"Apart from the Mombasa port second container terminal, the government has allocated more than Sh40 billion for infrastructure development in Mombasa region. By 2018, Mombasa will have a modern infrastructure," Dr Mosonik noted.

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