Stranded passengers who wanted to cross to the mainland Likoni found the channel without a single ferry on November 2, 2012. Photo/Laban Walloga.
What you need to know:
The channel, used by more than 5,000 vehicles and 200,000 commuters every day, is a kind of adventure with ferries stalling mid-stream on a regular basis.
A lasting solution to the persistent ferry crisis at the Likoni crossing could be in the offing after President Kibaki ordered government agencies to either construct a tunnel or bridge across the channel.
The President, who was presiding over the ground-breaking ceremony of the second Mombasa port terminal Wednesday, was prompted by local leaders Hassan Joho and Ramadhan Kajembe to address what has become a hindrance to trade between the North and South Coast.
The channel, used by more than 5,000 vehicles and 200,000 commuters every day, is a kind of adventure with ferries stalling mid-stream on a regular basis, the latest being a week ago.
Roads minister Franklin Bett said he would seek for an appropriate design for either a bridge or tunnel across the channel, which is also the gateway for vessels calling into Mombasa port.
The Sh27 billion second container terminal will be financed by the Japanese government to the tune of Sh20 billion.
The terminal is expected to increase the port’s handling capacity by an additional 1.2 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) and to transform Mombasa into a transshipment hub when complete in 2016.
It is being undertaken by Toyo Construction Company, a Japanese firm.
“The port will be well positioned to cater for the projected container growth in excess of 960,000 TEUs by 2015. It is important for us to ensure that the port is properly managed,” President Kibaki said.
He said development of the Lamu port which he commissioned in March would be on schedule in order to meet the growing demand for port services.
The tendering for a contractor for the first three berths is ongoing.
Other infrastructural projects in the Coast that have already been set in motion include; construction of the Dongo Kundu bypass that will connect South Coast to Mombasa west and development of a road at Makupa.
“Construction of the bypass that will cost Sh28 billion will start soon while designs for an elevated road over Makupa course way are ready,” said Mr Bett.
However, the projects face challenge of compensating people who have encroached on the road reserve running into billions of shillings.
