Construction works has begun on a billion shilling regional maritime institute in Kenya. Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Salim Mvurya broke grounds on the project to mark the start of works.
The ceremony for the commencement of construction works was also attended by the Principal Secretary (PS) for State Department for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Esther Muhoria, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Senator Issa Boy, Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza, area County Commissioner (CC) Gideon Oyagi and Kenya Coast National Polytechnic Chief Principal Anne Mbogo.
The project dubbed ‘East African Maritime Institute’ will be an ultra-modern training facility situated in Chitsakamatsa area of Matuga Sub County in Kwale County. Being built at a cost of Sh 1.2 billion, the facility is part of a World Bank project under the East Africa skills for transformation and regional integration project.
East African Maritime Institute
The project will sit on a 40-acre piece of land will be under the purview of the Mombasa based Kenya Coast National Polytechnic. The first phase will be co-funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank. It is being implemented in partnership with the European Union (EU) through the ‘Go Blue’ initiative, which supports projects in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu.
CS Mvurya said the centre of excellence will offer world class maritime training on the blue economy to students drawn from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The government intends to promote sustainable investments in the blue resources and unlock the potential of the oceans frontier to contribute to economic growth. We have untapped opportunities at the Indian Ocean for sustainable economic growth,” said CS Mvurya.