Githua Kihara
3 November 2008
Nairobi — Construction of the proposed transit container freight station in Changamwe for cargo destined to Uganda, may start in less than six months, the lead consultant for Great Lakes Ports Limited, has said.
Initially the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) had opposed the project saying its proximity to Moi International Airport would compromise safety and security at the airport.
However, stakeholders at a meeting convened by Great Lakes Ltd, at which its consultant Sanjay Gandhi spoke, yesterday presented their views to be incorporated in the Environmental Impact Assessment studies.
Such magnitude
The civil aviation authority had said that anyone starting a project of such magnitude near any airport had to first get clearance from the KCAA as well as Kenya Airports Authority before any work began.
But it emerged yesterday that Great Lakes had since written to the two authorities.
"You will now work with our surveyor who will direct you on where exactly to put up the structures," Mr Angus Swedi of KCAA said.
There were fears that stacking containers high would compromise surveillance around the airport. It was also feared that an aircraft crash-landing on the structures could be devastating.
The Kenya Pipeline Corporation had also raised concerns over the wayleave for the oil pipeline to Nairobi that passes near the proposed project site.
At yesterday's meeting, they also agreed to work with the consultants in the plan to ensure the construction does not contravene the required wayleave allowance.
The Sh2.4 billion (US$30 million) project is expected to handle 4,000 containers, Mr Gandhi said.
"The facility will be served by a railway line from Mombasa port and the cargo will be delivered to another internal container depot in Uganda near the Malaba border by railway," Mr Gandhi said.
Handling system
"The Uganda government, through Uganda Railway Corporation, wants an efficient cargo handling system," Mr Gandhi said at the meeting.
Another meeting will be convened to discuss the report before it is presented to the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) for approval.
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