Economy

Lamu County inks Sh20m desalination plant deal with Agip

Timamy

Lamu County Governor Issa Timamy. FILE PHOTOS | KALUME KAZUNGU | NMG

The Lamu County government has signed a pact with an Italian firm to establish a desalination plant that will harness the Indian Ocean to provide fresh water to residents.

The deal with energy firm Agip (Azienda Generale Italian Petroli), which is owned by Italian oil major ENI, will see the Sh20 million plant established at Siyu Village in the Lamu archipelago.

The project will harness the resource from the Indian Ocean to allow for subsistence use of desalinated water by residents of Lamu East.

It also presents a new ray of hope for the area's inhabitants who have had challenges accessing the precious resource with many being forced to rely on salty water even for use at home.

“This is a timely project for the people of this area. On behalf of the people of Siyu and the County Government of Lamu at large, I want to sincerely congratulate Agip for their kind gesture to establish the desalination project in this area,” said Lamu governor Issa Timamy.

Addressing a gathering at Siyu, the Italian Ambassador to Kenya Mauro Masoni thanked Mr Timamy and Lamu's residents for supporting the project.

“I think it is extremely important to realize a project like this in this very dry island. I believe it will greatly improve your lives,” said Amb Masoni.

Once started, the plant will be completed within six months and is projected to produce at least 2,500 litres of fresh water an hour.

Acute shortages have in the past forced the Lamu government to seek external help from well-wishers and donors to address the issue that is now worsened by an ongoing drought.

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