Patrick Beja
2 January 2003
Nairobi — The Mombasa business community has appealed to the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) Government to cancel the multi-billion shilling titanium mining project in Kwale District.
The Narc Government was instead asked to revive collapsed factories in Coast Province as a new year's gift to residents.
Tiomin Kenya Limited, a subsidiary of Tiomin Resources Inc. of Canada, has been licensed to initiate a Sh9 billion titanium mining project in Kwale.
A signed statement by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mombasa branch secretary Alexander Mwangeka said that the titanium mining deal was rushed by the previous Kanu Government.
He said this was done with total disregard of the plight of farmers who own the land.
He said that farmers were given a raw deal and were appealing to the Mwai Kibaki administration to take steps to save them from exploitation.
Mwangeka said the investors failed to exhaust discussions on the plight of schools, hospitals and sacred forests (kayas)which have been earmarked for destruction.
"The Government should instead, through an Act of Parliament, start a company where the Government shall have 51 per cent shares and Kenyans given an opportunity to purchase the remaining shares of 49 per cent," he said.
Mwangeka said the chamber was ready to organise a consortium of businessmen to participate in the exercise instead of placing the economy of this country in the hands of foreigners.
He said the chamber was concerned that the mining project would not benefit the local community and the country's economy but only a few individuals.
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