NAIROBI, Kenya – Logistics Consultancy firm, TradeMark Africa (TMA), has come up with $20 million to add to the government’s $10 million contribution for improving vital transport infrastructure in Mombasa County writes JOHN SAMBO.

On the list is included the improvement of the existing Port Reitz and Moi International Airport access roads.

The Transport Cabinet Secretary, Eng. Michael Kamau said last week, “This access road is one of many efforts by the government to boost economic growth through infrastructure development. We recognize that in order to achieve substantial economic growth and reduce poverty in the country, we need to continue looking for similar ways to open up our markets to other parts of the region such as this.”

The TMA Chief Executive Officer, Frank Matsaert said, “The Port Reitz Road is among many projects that TMA is spearheading to enhance trade environment in the region since East Africa has amongst the highest freight and transport costs in the world.

“These costs seriously erode the marginal competitiveness of goods exported by East African countries, reducing trade, economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.”

TMA is heavily involved in reducing the bottlenecks that hinder the East African Community trade flows.

The British government, through the Department of International Development (DfID) is putting up the $20 million for the projects.

At the same time, the Kenya government through the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) will give $10 million for additional costs.

The project will be implemented by KeNHA. The Port Reitz Road is crucial as it will provide the only link to the new Container Terminal pending the completion of the Mombasa Southern By-pass project. Access to the new container terminal will decongest the existing container berths at the Mombasa port which are currently operating at almost full capacity.

Source: East African Business Week

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.