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Mombasa, August 31, 2006

President Mwai Kibaki is conducted on a tour of the IAAF stand by Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat and the Chief executive of the 35th Mombasa World Cross country championship Isaac Kalua during the 2006 Mombasa International Show. Looking on is Sports minister Hon Maina Kamanda.

Government to deal decisively with land problem at the Coast

President Mwai Kibaki has said that the Government was committed to dealing comprehensively with the land issue in Coast Province, as it was the biggest impediment to development in the area.

The President pointed out that it was for this reason that during his Madaraka day address to the nation this year, he ordered the Ministry of Lands and settlement to embark on a crash programme to deal with the land issue in the Province.

President Kibaki who was accompanied by the First Lady Mrs. Lucy Kibaki was speaking in Mombasa today when he performed the official opening of this year's ASK Mombasa International show.

Said the President, "The issuance of 35,000 title deeds in various parts of this province alone is part of the process of fulfilling the pledge I made to the people of Coast province."

The President reiterated that the government would deal decisively with the problem of absentee landlords, adding that the government had prioritized this issue because it is denying the people access to land, which is the most vital factor of production in the country's agricultural-based economy.

"As we step-up issuance of title deeds, I also expect farmers in this region to invest more resources in expanding agricultural production," he emphasized.

He expressed concern with the agricultural trends in the province saying the region could produce enough to feed the people in the Province and market the surplus to the more arid parts of the country.

Noting that the government had embarked on a programme to revive and rehabilitate agricultural processing institutions that were vital in the region, President Kibaki encouraged farmers to employ modern farming methods to increase productivity.

He said the K.C.C. Miritini milk-processing plant had now been re-opened, while modalities to for the rehabilitation of Mariakani milk scheme had been initiated adding the government would soon be announcing the revival of Kibarani Kenya meat commission slaughterhouse.

The President said, "I am keen to see that the slaughterhouse is rehabilitated this financial year so that pastoral communities and other livestock producers can have a ready outlet for their beef animals."

He observed that the rehabilitation of these facilities is expected to play a significant role in empowering farmers in this region and creating more employment opportunities.

President Kibaki at the same time emphasized that the Government was committed to transforming Mombasa into a vibrant gateway to the Eastern Africa and the wider Comesa region.

The President pointed out that good progress had been made towards upgrading the infrastructure in the country saying as part of these efforts the government would upgrade the Mombasa-Busia highway also known as the northern corridor road to international standards.

Noting that the northern corridor project would open up movement of goods and persons between Mombasa and the rest of the country and beyond, President Kibaki said already a contractor was on a site to complete the 50 kilometre Miritini-Maji ya Chumvi section of the road.

"It will also strengthen domestic and regional trade with our neighbours of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo," he said.

In addition to the Northern bypass, the President said it was gratifying to note that other major road projects have been completed. He said the Garsen-Lamu road which connects Tana River and and Lamu districts was completed in 2005, while the government would soon be announcing the commencement of the contract for the resurfacing and rehabilitation of Mombasa-Malindi road.

"Indeed, this financial year we have allocated shs. 2.3 billion for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in the Coast Province,"
Said the President.

The President further announced that plans were underway for the extension of the container terminal at the Port of Mombasa adding that the Moi international airport and the Malindi airport would also be upgraded and modernized.

On tourism, President Kibaki expressed satisfaction that the sector had recorded strong growth over the last three years resulting in a 25 percent increase in earnings. He however said government was aggressively marketing the country as a conference, sports, business and cultural tourism destination to widen the holiday attraction sites from the traditional holiday beaches and wildlife safaris.

Noting that Mombasa would next year play host to the 35th World Cross-Country Championship, President Kibaki said the government had released shs. 200 million from the Ministry of public works, shs. 312 million from the Ministry of local government for the rehabilitation of roads in the Mombasa municipality, while another shs. 93 million had been set aside for the beautification of the city.

"As tourism continues to grow, I challenge the Ministry of Tourism and wildlife to focus on attracting new investments into the industry particularly hotels, lodges and amusement parks," he added.

On the energy sector, President Kibaki revealed that the oil pipeline would be expanded at a cost of shs. 3 billion, Rabai Gas turbine at a cost of shs. 3.6 million, Kipevu power generation at shs. 2.8 billion and the construction of Liquid petroleum plant at Kipevu shs 2.8 billion. These projects located in the Coast Province are scheduled for this year, he added.

The President pointed out that though these projects will serve the whole country, their implementation would generate employment opportunities for the local communities.

On water supply, President Kibaki disclosed that the government had allocated shs 840 million for the various water projects and programmes in the province, adding that negotiations were on for a credit line of shs 6 billion for the Sabaki and Miritini water supply systems.

Turning to crop production, President Kibaki observed that coconuts and cashew nuts earned farmers in the Province shs. 800 million last year which was expected to increase to 1.2 billion shillings this year.

On cotton farming, the President said the government had started the process of reviving the cotton industry and had allocated a grant of shs. 250 million in the last financial year.

He called upon farmers to get back to cotton farming and benefit from these investments as well as the improved extension services and provision of quality seed. "We have begun the process of reviving the Bura irrigation project as well as Hola Irrigation scheme in Tana River district which once produced nearly 40 percent of the country's cotton," he added.

The President also touched on the sugar industry and said the government was negotiating with potential investors with a view to re-establishing Ramisi Sugar Factory to revive sugar cane production in the region.

On livestock and fisheries, the President noted that farmers in the province earned shs. 1.9 billion from the sale of livestock and livestock products, while fisheries had a potential estimated at 175,000 million metric tones per year.

Saying that the potential was largely unexploited, President Kibaki said the government had initiated arrangements to install facilities for monitoring, control, and surveillance of the exclusive economic zones to enable the people benefit from the vast existing potential in the Zones.

"The installation of these facilities will enable us to eliminate over-fishing by unlicensed foreign vessels," he said.

The President cited livestock farming as an area that needed revamping, noting that many farmers in the area were still keeping indigenous animals that were not as productive as the grade ones.

He said in an effort to change this trend, the government was willing to lend money to farmers who were keen on improving on their herds.

The President said in the last three years the country had witnessed steady economic growth that rose to 5.8 percent last year and urged Kenyans to maintain the spirit of hard work so that the country could become prosperous.

In this respect he challenged leaders to concentrate on development activities that will bring real benefits to the people and advised wananchi to judge leaders by their actions in order to avoid being misled.

Also present were the Minister for Agrculture Kipruto arap Kirwa ,his livestock development counterpart Joseph Munyao, the chief of general staff general Jeremiah Kinga and the National chairman of the A.S.K Timothy Omato.