National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has said plans to establish a dry port in Malaba, Busia, are at an advanced stage.
Wetang'ula said the plan, when realised, will spur economic activities in the Western region that have had stagnated growth as sugarcane farming continues to be marred with problems.
"Plans are at an advanced stage to construct a dry port at Malaba and a duo carriage road connecting to the border point to heighten investments and deal with the heavy traffic jam caused by trailers transporting goods to countries in the region," said Wetang'ula.
He explained that the Malaba dry port will enhance cross-country business with neighbouring States.
He said Kenya Kwanza is committed to adding another dry port in the country after the one that was put up by the former government in Naivasha.
The Speaker made the remarks at Our Lady of Lourdes Malaba Catholic Parish in Teso North Constituency, Busia, where he led 12 MPs from the region in a funds drive to support the completion of a modern church.
Wetang’ula added that there are also plans to extend the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba.
He added that other benefits that will accompany the port include job creation, the establishment of industries to cash on the ready market and the building of houses to satisfy demand for real estate.
Wetang'ula said he was aware of the challenges drivers of trailers who get stuck in a traffic jam were facing.
He said a duo carrier road will help ease the perennial snarl-up challenge by trailers awaiting clearance at the border.
"Malaba border has a huge economic potential as it serves Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda among other countries in East Africa,” he said.
He noted that leaders from the region highlighted the matter during their meeting with President William Ruto recently.
"We made the President aware of the plight of the truck drivers and losses incurred by traders dealing in transporting goods and he has committed to providing a lasting solution by constructing a duo carriage road and a dry port," he explained.
The leaders under the Western MPs Caucus led by their chairman John Waluke said they were ready to rally behind Wetang'ula to help the region ascend to presidency at the end of Ruto's tenure.
