Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has flagged off the construction of several road and street lighting projects across the coastal county.
Governor Achani says the new infrastructure projects will enhance the economic development and social welfare of the county and its inhabitants.
The coastal county boss says the projects are part of her administration’s resolve to boost the local economy and make Kwale the premier destination for investment.
She noted that the devolved government would ensure that it provides the highest standard and quality of roads with closed drainages, road signs, and street lights.
Achani expressed her commitment and dedication to addressing the huge infrastructure gap in the road network across the coastal county through massive road construction and rehabilitation efforts.
She says prioritising road infrastructure would not only promote easy transportation of agricultural produce to markets but also open up rural areas to other economic opportunities.
The Governor stated that contr
actors handling the construction of roads would closely be monitored and supervised to ensure that the quality of roads was not compromised and delivered within the given timeframe.
She further said that her administration would continue to embark on more developmental projects for the benefit of the people and investors.
Achani noted that infrastructure development is a vital driver for development and an important enabler for sustainable productivity and economic growth.
‘As a devolved government, we are fully committed to investing in improving our infrastructure across the county,’ she said and urged the people to continue to support her administration to succeed.
She says the road projects were aimed at improving security, food production, and jumpstarting other economic activities in the county.
Achani spoke when she launched Phase 2 of the Mkilo – Kalalani – Mavirivirini road project in Mwavumbo Ward, Kinango sub-county.
The Governor directed the contractors to hire locals for their work and deli
ver the projects in time.
She said the project that would cover a 3 km distance in its second phase encompasses upgrading the road to bitumen standard, and installation of street lights to enhance the safety and security of road users during night hours.
She also presided over the ground breaking of the murram and grading of Mtsangatifu-Pemba road in the same sub-county.
The 6km road project construction will include; the installation of 12 culverts as well as murraming and grading.
The Governor also flagged off the graveling of the Kona Masai-Shimba Hills road in Kubo southward that is estimated to take a maximum of 90 days.
She said the Kona Masai-Shimba Hills road would open up the ongoing fruit processing plant in Shimba Hills and ease the movement of farmers as they transport their produce to ready Markets in Diani and Mombasa County.
‘Infrastructure development is a key driver for development, and it is an important enabler for sustainable productivity and economic growth,’ she said.
She stated t
hat when completed, the road would connect people in rural areas with urban centres to allow the free flow of farm produce.
Achani says that without well-maintained roads, farm produce would not get to the market in good time and a lot would get spoiled on the farms or while being transported on neglected and dilapidated roads.
She underlined the benefits of the road projects including reduction in travel time, post-harvest losses, and transportation costs as well as ease of movement of farm produce to the markets in good time.
She declared that road projects were a game changer that would in the long run enhance trade and commerce, promote tourism, and facilitate easy movement of agricultural products.
Governor Achani later launched the upgrading of the Bahari Dhow beach access road to cabro standards in the Diani Municipality.
In her address, the Governor expressed her commitment to ensuring that Kwale County’s tourism industry is revived.
‘This among other projects in the Diani Beach area is aimed at
improving the mobility and access to the beach, and will also help grow the livelihoods of those depending on the tourism sector,’ she said.
She says the street lighting initiative is aimed at extending business hours and providing a safer environment for local entrepreneurs to flourish.
‘It also has the potential to revolutionize business operations in the area by extending the hours of operation and thus business owners can cater to a larger customer base, boosting their revenue and overall profitability,’ she said.
Source: Kenya News Agency