The Treasury has withdrawn the Sh1.32 billion that it had allocated for aerial mapping of Kenya’s mineral resources, setting up the country for possible court battles with Chinese, UK and Canadian firms already contracted to undertake the multibillion- shilling project.
John Omenge, the Mining PS, told Parliament that the withdrawal will make it difficult for the ministry to make payments to both the contractor (GETI-China) and project supervisors, the International Geophysical Services (IGS-UK) and Peterson Grant Worldwide (PGW)-Canada.
The project, which was conceived six years ago would see China Exim Bank loan Kenya Sh6 billion while the government will contribute Sh1 billion.
“The ministry request this committee to assist in the reinstatement of Sh1.32 billion withdrawn to enable payments to both the contractor and supervisor,” Mr Omenge told the National Assembly committee on Environment when he appeared before it to defend the ministry’s budget under the Supplementary Estimate II.
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