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| Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa |
Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa has asked residents of Kasemeni ward in Kinango sub county, Kwale county to be proactive in decision-making of the construction of three primary schools that were affected by Mwache dam project.
The affected schools namely, Fulugani primary, Nunguni primary and Mwache bridge ECDE are expected to be reconstructed with modern facilities installed.
Mugaa said that the construction exercise has started at the slated sites and members of the public will be involved in the process by participating in key decision making in terms of the type of structures they want and the facilities to be included.
The CS was addressing the community during a public forum in Kasemeni when he asked them to form committees that will represent them in the decision making of the slated projects during the official discussion.
This came after residents expressed their concerns to the leaders on why the reconstruction of the schools was not going as per their requirements.
“The government has given Kasemeni ward residents an opportunity to participate in the determination of a construction sketch of the Fulugani primary school that the State is building after relocation of the people to pave way for the construction of Mwache multipurpose dam. This is one way of ensuring the public feels included and part of this new development,” he said.
He added that the committees formed should later hold public forums to inform the rest on the goings of the construction project of the schools.
The CS noted that the compensation exercise for Project Affected Persons (PAP) for the Mwache dam project has kicked off following the release of Sh500 million by the National Treasury.
He urged the residents to cooperate with the contractors and give him a conducive working environment as he constructs the dam to enable them get the value for money.
“Once there are delays with the project, money gets lost, and it is the taxpayers’ money that is lost. Let us not interfere with the construction work and present any complaint to my office, as I promise to listen to all of you,” he affirmed.
The construction stalled in July following compensation and livelihood restoration demands by the local community in Kinango Constituency, Kwale County.
Bendaro Ndegwa a resident of Kasemeni ward said that they are yet to receive livelihood restoration funds promised by the government after they were relocated.
The CS assured the locals that soon everyone will be sorted as the National Treasury committed to the Ministry to disburse funds for the compensation exercise with some already paid.
“Already Sh500 million was released to compensate the first batch, except for a few who don’t have proper documents with the local leaders promising to help and resolve the issue. The Treasury also committed that another Sh500 million will be released to award those for Mwavumbo area and Bofu areas, at the lower check-dam,” he said.
Mugaa said that the project has a bit of uniqueness as there will be a component of livelihood whereby the government will restore the livelihood of the project affected persons to where they were before they were relocated.
He noted that the government has asked the contractor to also give 70 percent of jobs to the locals to ensure they fully benefit from the dam project.
The CS also urged the people to deliver their end of the bargain once given job opportunities and not only focus on entitlement that they deserve the work.
“I have vouched for you to be considered when seeking for employment at the construction site, please do not let us down,” he added.
Women and young people were also challenged to go for the opportunities offered insisting that the government offers equal chance to all its citizens.
Kinango Member of Parliament Gonzi Rai said that residents of Kinango had stopped work demanding compensation but added that once he took the issue to the National Assembly, the Commission, Ministry, and the Treasury agreed to sort out the challenge in due effect.
A total of Sh4.4 billion is required for land acquisition affecting at least 4,000 Project Affected Persons (PAP).
Mwache dam is located across the Mwache river at Fulugani village in Kwale County, about 22 kilometers west of Mombasa.
Construction of the dam commenced in March 2023, with the completion projected to be December 2027.
By Chari Suche