The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has expressed gratitude to the Danish Government for the support towards the development at the Port of Mombasa.
KPA Managing Director Mrs. Catherine Mturi-Wairi said the assistance by the Danish Government and Trademark East Africa (TMA) had a positive impact on the capacity improvement and efficiency at the port.
Addressing a delegation of the Danish Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs during their visit at the Port of Mombasa on Thursday, the managing director attributed the progress at the port in terms of yards and other infrastructure to the support.
She singled out the 10 million US dollars set aside by the Danish Government towards the improvement of the port’s performance.
“I wish to thank you for the support you have continued to give to the Kenya Ports Authority and the Government of Kenya in our effort to develop the Port of Mombasa,” she said.
Mrs. Wairi reminded the delegation of the visit at the Port of Mombasa by the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Kristian Jensen in December 2015, when he launched the Green Port Growth and Employment Programme for the year 2016-2020.
“In this respect, we at KPA with the assistance of Trademark East Africa have developed a Green Port Policy which is under implementation,” she added.
Similarly, the Dock Workers Union through General Secretary Mr. Simon Sang thanked the Danish Government for acting as a source of aid and grants to KPA for many years.
“On behalf of our 5,000 members of the Dock Workers Union, all workers of the port and over 35,000 direct dependents and another 70,000 indirect dependents of employees, we join other Kenyans in thanking the Danish Government for their support for KPA through DANIDA and currently through TMA,” he said.
Mr. Sang appreciated the support of the Danish Government towards capacity building of the union’s leadership saying such training had empowered the workers’ representatives thus ensuring decent employment status.
“Up to 2011, union members comprised 50 percent employees who were on temporary terms and conditions of employment but today all the employees are permanent and pensionable.
“The change of terms from 50 percent to 100 percent is attributed directly to the capacity building of union leadership which was funded by DANIDA through a Danish NGO known as Forum for International Cooperation,” he said.
Trademark East Africa Director General Mr. David Stanton who was also present told the Danish parliamentarians about plans to invest in the tourism and agribusiness sectors to generate jobs.
“Together with KPA we want to go the extra mile to generate jobs for East Africans in the next seven years,” he said.
Mr. Stanton asked the legislators through their Foreign Affairs Committee to try and mobilise resources for the benefit of the East African region.
He said TMA requires external support towards supporting the green port project which he said was of benefit beyond the Port of Mombasa.
The Danish Foreign Affairs Committee through Head of Delegation Hon. Mogens Lykketoft assured KPA and TMA of the Danish government’s support.
He said the business policies of Denmark were behind the success of global companies like Maersk shipping which line has about 40% share of the business at the Port of Mombasa.
“Many thanks to all of you for giving us input on the shape of our future engagements,” said the legislator.
Source: Coastweek

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