Mombasa political leaders are urging the government to complete the construction of the much-waited Liwatoni Fish Complex, so that it provides job opportunities for locals.
Further, the government has been asked to operationalise the fish factory once complete so that youth can directly benefit from the multi-million initiative.
Speaking in Mombasa, Bamburi MCA Patrick Mbelle Mwavula noted that the government, despite promising a completion of the factory, it has been postponing the construction leaving the already affected fishermen and their families with nothing to eke a living from.
According to Mr Mbelle, the construction of the factory has taken longer to complete and the government should invest in accomplishing the project.
“The project was started during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and we are now told that the tender was cancelled and will be readvertised so that a new contractor is selected, this is totally discriminatory,” said Mbelle.
The young Bamburi Ward representative, who also chairs the Blue Economy Committee at the Mombasa County Assembly, said fishing activities were paralysed affecting a chain of small traders who highly depend on the fishing sector, however the developing process of the factory remains in limbo.
“We were promised massive employment once the Liwatoni fish factory complex is complete in December 2023, to date that remains just but a promise,” said the MCA.
He said that apart from the employment opportunities from the Mombasa port and the County government, the National government should work closely with the county government to woo investors to create employment for the youth.
“We were promised over 3000 job opportunities once the fish factory is complete, we are still counting years hopping that these promises will one day materialise,” he noted.
The Bamburi Ward representative appealed to Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir to pursue the matter and ensure the project is realised.
Mbelle said the construction site was once a haven for fishermen, and fish vendors who are now stranded since they cannot carry on with their daily business activities after they were forced out to pave way for the construction of the fish factory.
The fishermen and traders are still eagerly waiting for a conclusive answer from the National government over the stalled mega livelihood project.
