The Sh3.25 billion Busia County Export Processing Zone project at Nasewa is expected to be completed by the end of October this year.
Speaking during the inspection of the project, Principal Secretary State Department for Investment Promotion, Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, expressed his satisfaction over the work so far done, stating that the project would create many job opportunities for the youth.
‘The project is doing well, and the contractor has assured me that by October he will be handing the project back to us. After the launch of the project by the President this year, investors will be here, and our youth will get employed at this place, ‘he assured.
Abubakar also stated that priorities will be given to investors in the textile, edible oil, and cassava processing sectors, adding, ”we have agreed with the governor that we focus on investors in textile, edible oil, and cassava processing. We will also bring investors who will manufacture electric motorbikes to this zone. We are going to advertise to
know how many investors are interested so as to make a good arrangement and have them start working immediately when the project is complete.’
On his part, CEO EPZA Richard Omelu said they are aiming to ensure the project benefits residents of Busia and environs, stating their commitment to ensuring it succeeds.
‘We want to bring investors and create jobs so that our people from Busia and other sections can benefit from the project. I have seen the progress from the contractor, and we will continue to support them, he said.
Busia Governor Paul Otuoma reiterated that the project will give business opportunities to the people of Busia, adding, ‘We want to do business with people from other countries through the work done here. We want our people to plant cotton to provide raw materials for cloth-making industries. We are telling the Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives to help farmers with farm inputs such as seeds and to also find market for our produce.’
Otuoma indicated that they are planning to have
an airstrip at the place. ‘We want to have an airstrip at this place. We also have a dry port at Malaba and a railway expansion programme. We want our product to be transported from here to Malaba, then get to Mombasa and other countries through railways,’ he said.
On his part, Funyula MP Wilberfoce Oundo, who is a member of the trade, industry, and cooperative committee in the National Assembly, also expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, stating that the people of Busia and beyond will enjoy the value of their money.
Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga urged the residents to cooperate with the county and national governments for the project to benefit them.
‘I want to urge the residents of Busia to work together with both governments to ensure that we benefit from this project. This project will benefit many people in Busia, the country, and even our neighbouring countries,’ he stressed.
The Sh3.25 billion project that is established on 843 acres is expected to create 50,000 direct
jobs and another 250,000 indirect ones in support sectors such as farming, logistics, and trade, among others.
Source : Kenya News Agency