NAIROBI : Lamu county plans to develop a metropolitan area to tap into the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor Project.
The county government is seeking a consultant for a 600 square kilometers Lamu port metropolitan area, to align with port related industries, urban area and a resort city.
According to the Lamu county secretary Siyat Osman, the county has budget for the development plan of the metropolitan area structure, in the 2015/16 financial year. The plan is expected to be ready in twelve months.
He said the integrated development plan will provide a basis for public and private investments, coordinate sector programmes and projects and land development management within the metropolis.
The integrated spatial development plan is a long-term plan with a 20-year execution plan involving Kenya Ports Authority, LAPSSET development authority, the Lamu port steering committee, transport and infrastructure and tourism and commerce ministries.
It will cover housing, port related industries, heritage and tourism, commerce and businesses, community facilities and amenities. Other areas are population dynamics, local economy, transportation and infrastructure, logistics and distribution businesses and environmental conservation.
Construction of Kenya’s second seaport in Lamu is taking shape and the KPA headquarters and a police post are ready.
The focus is now on construction of the first three berths at the port which is designed to have a total 32 berths.
The Sh2.5 trillion LAPSSET project will also see the construction of an oil refinery, three airports including the expansion of Manda airstrip in Lamu and construction of resort cities in Lamu, Isiolo and Lake Turkana shores. Other proposed LAPSSET projects include a railway line, pipeline and highway connecting the three countries.
