KILIFI governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Ali Hassan Joho have said plans to set up a water transport facility to connect the two counties are on top gear.
The project to be undertaken by the two counties will be a modern sea transport system that will be ferrying people from Kilifi creek to Bamburi through the Mtwapa creek.
Speaking on Saturday during an end of year party organised by Patbon limited, an investment company based in Kilifi, the two leaders said the completion of the project will enhance transport between the two counties.
“We have started talks with prospective investors and they have shown interest in the project. We believe this joint venture will foster development in this region,” said Kingi.
The project will be put up through the build-operate –transfer BOT system of financing, where the contracted company will incur the cost of putting up the whole project and recover its expenses from the operations of the company.
“We are yet to do the expression of interest but already we have some companies which are ready to work with us to make the project a success. This is among the many projects that we have agreed to undertake together,” said Joho.
He said upon completion, the project will offer an option to commuters who travel between the two counties on a regular basis. “As you all know, people depend on roads to go to Mombasa but now we want them to have that option which will be cheaper and effective. This will also reduce the many delays on the road due to traffic jam,” said Joho. The modern ferries to be used will be making a stopover at Mtwapa to pick and drop commuters before proceeding to Mombasa.
Kingi pointed out that the mode of transport shall be fast and reliable and will be a big boost to businessmen who transport goods from Mombasa or Kilifi. The project is expected to kick off before June next year.