The Treasury has signed a grant agreement of Sh1.8 billion ($20 million) with Trade Mark East Africa (TMA) for the construction of Port Reitz and Moi International airport access roads in Mombasa.

The two roads will now be expanded to a dual carriage way, and are expected to help ease traffic flow along the route, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said on Wednesday.

The Transport and Infrastructure ministry has concluded evaluation of tender documents and the contract is expected to be awarded soon, according to Principal Secretary John Musonik who witnessed the signing ceremony at the airport lounge.

The government, through the Kenya National Highways Authority—the agency implementing the project— will inject a further Sh900 million ($10 million) to cater for additional costs.

Mr Rotich said the funds would be used in the design and construction of the roads.

The second section will be from the airport junction to the Port Reitz hospital, a crucial link road that will be used by trucks accessing the port through the new container terminal and link them to the Northern Corridor.

The airport and Port Reitz roads are some of the most congested routes in Mombasa, with transporters and tour operators incurring huge losses due to perennial traffic jams that cause delays in moving travellers and goods.

Completion of the project in the next 15 months is expected to ease pressure and come as a relief for motorists who spend hours on the 6.4-kilometre stretch.

“The project will ease traffic congestion to and from the airport and this will go a long way in enhancing trade. It will also improve efficiency of the Mombasa port and unlock the region’s economic growth,” the Mr Rotich said.

“Trade Mark East Africa has further agreed to provide $30 million (Sh2.7 billion) to support the Mombasa port infrastructure facilities improvement. On completion, this project will reduce transit time for cargo at the port by two days,” Mr Rotich added.

TMA director general David Stanton said Mombasa port is an important gateway and economic growth of the region depends on the modernisation of the facility.

Cargo passing through Mombasa port has increasing by more than six per cent annually with the facility handling 24 million tonnes last year.

Source: Business Daily

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