Controversy on the proposed LPG plant at Mombasa port

By Tobby Otum

Controversy has hit the proposed construction of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG] plant at the port of Mombasa which is being funded by a Sh 2.5 billion loan to Mombasa Gas Terminal Limited [MGT].

Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] has written a protest letter to the Mombasa county government over the proposal to build such a project within the vicinity of Ganjoni area.

The organization is seeking the indulgence of the county government on the development and control rights against dangerous structures.

In a letter addressed to county secretary Joab Tumbo a copy of which was availed to journalists he said their project was to develop a Mombasa gate bridge in the area.

In the letter signed by JICA chief representative Iwama Hajime and copied to the Director General of Kenya National Highway Authority [Kenha] Peter Mundinia, he said they had signed a loan agreement with the government in 2019 for the construction of a temporary pedestrian footbridge across the Likoni channel in Mombasa to be used during peak hours.

The JICA official said the intention for the construction of the proposed Mombasa gate bridge is to connect Mombasa Island with the Likoni mainland to allow further economic and social development.

Hajime said they will not allow potentially dangerous structures namely explosives, fuel tanks and among others along the project area.

“We wish to notify the county government to ensure necessary restrictions to adhere to what was agreed upon,” he pointed out.

The [JICA] officer said in his two-page letter they won’t entertain any dangerous project on their peripheral of rights of way.

Hakime cautioned they won’t allow any interfering with the proposed Mombasa gate bridge project where the future of the facility and safety along the project is concerned.

He urged the county government for cooperation in the smooth implementation of the resettlement action plan.

Meanwhile, the LPG and storage terminal project which is funded by the World Bank is also faced with environment assessment impact issues and public participation with the matter pending at the National Environment Tribunal (NET) chaired by Mohamed Balala.