Mombasa Port to be concessioned to private investors; Ruto
Mombasa Port will be concessioned to private investors to improve service delivery according to President Ruto.
Speaking at an interdenominational church service in Mama Ngina Waterfront, Mombasa, Ruto clarified that the plan does not imply that the Mombasa port will be sold.
“We have agreed that the port will not be privatized. That will not happen. I promised to return the port operations to Mombasa, I have delivered on that,” Ruto said.
“Returning the port operations to Mombasa is not enough. We need a port development plan, that is why we have announced a concession plan.
Concession is the right to use land or other property for a specified purpose, granted by a government, company, or other controlling body.
President Ruto said the move will enable investors to put in their resources to boost logistics and special economic zones,” he said.
He said the government is looking for investment at the Mombasa port to increase its capacity and employment opportunities.
“The people working at the port are few, only about 8,000. We want to organize this port, together with the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, to employ more than 50,000 young people,” Ruto said.
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Although the Mombasa port is a valuable resource for Kenya, according to President Ruto, its efficiency is lacking, as it is ranked 326th out of 348 ports worldwide.
“You see how our issues have gone wrong? Almost last! Because it has no efficiency. We want it to be top 10,” Ruto said.
He claimed that in order to achieve this, it would be necessary to seek out new investors, enlarge the port, and boost efficiency.
On the other hand, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir of Mombasa stated that he opposes a private company operating the port without first obtaining their consent.
Nassir pointed out that Mombasa economy suffered greatly and is still recovering from the previous administration’s closure of the port.
“When you make decisions that are going to hamper, one way or the other, the question you need to ask yourself is, were we making losses as a port? no. Is there feasibility that has been done to indicate that you’ll be getting more? no.” Nassir said.
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