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President Mwai Kibaki Thursday announced the revival of Ramisi sugar factory and said the government had signed a lease agreement with Kwale International Sugar Company Limited to build a sugar-processing factory at Ramisi.
The President noted that in the agreement, the Sugar Company would develop a large-scale sugarcane farm covering 15,000 acres of land that will be excised out of the Ramisi farm.
Said President Kibaki, "The remaining part of Ramisi farm, totaling 27,000 acres, will be sub-divided into five-acre parcels to settle the identified and deserving squatters in the area who will be assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture to become smallholder sugar cane producers,"
President Kibaki was speaking at the Mombasa show ground when he opened this year's Mombasa International show.
Noting that the Coast Province had enormous Agricultural potential that is yet to be fully realized, President Kibaki said the government will continue to implement additional measures that will raise the productivity of its agricultural and livestock sectors.
He went on to say that the government was addressing the problems associated with land ownership in the province and had put in place measures to fast track the issuance of title deeds so as to further promote greater commercialisation of agriculture.
He went on to say that the government was addressing the problems associated with land ownership in the province and had put in place measures to fast track the issuance of title deeds so as to further promote greater commercialisation of agriculture.
He said, "In addition, the Government has waived the fees that are normally charged for issuance of title deeds to enable many Kenyans access their title deeds. With these measures, my Government has opened up opportunities for the people of this province to harness the full agricultural and livestock potential of the region.
Saying that during the last financial year the Government spent 6.3 billion shillings in recurrent and development agricultural projects in this province, the President added that besides the resources being targeted directly to the agricultural sector, the Government has continued to invest in support of infrastructure development.
Saying that during the last financial year the Government spent 6.3 billion shillings in recurrent and development agricultural projects in this province, the President added that besides the resources being targeted directly to the agricultural sector, the Government has continued to invest in support of infrastructure development.
In this regard, President Kibaki announced that the government has spent a total of 4.2 billion shillings on implementation of roads projects in the Province.
"These include national and international trunk roads such as the Miritini-Maji ya Chumvi road, the Nyali Bridge-Kilifi road, Kilifi-Malindi road, the Kengeleni-Kenol road and the Likoni-Ukunda road," he added.
He observed that the investments in roads are being augmented by further investments in rural electrification, which will provide the power for construction of agro-processing plants as well as lighting throughout the province.
"These include national and international trunk roads such as the Miritini-Maji ya Chumvi road, the Nyali Bridge-Kilifi road, Kilifi-Malindi road, the Kengeleni-Kenol road and the Likoni-Ukunda road," he added.
He observed that the investments in roads are being augmented by further investments in rural electrification, which will provide the power for construction of agro-processing plants as well as lighting throughout the province.
Said he, "in the last four years, we have established a total of 107 electricity supply schemes valued at 3 billion shillings. Of these, 54 schemes have been completed, while 41 of the remaining 53 schemes will be completed by December this year. The balance of 12 schemes will be completed by February next year."
President Kibaki further noted that the Government has made substantial investments in water development in the province where it had spent over 700 milion shillings in the last five years.
"We have built and rehabilitated dams and pans, boreholes, and rural water supply schemes to provide clean and safe drinking water for communities in this province," he added.
With respect to coconut farming, which is major activity in the region, the President said he had mandated the Kenya Coconut development authority that he established early this week to revitalise the sub-sector.
President Kibaki further noted that the Government has made substantial investments in water development in the province where it had spent over 700 milion shillings in the last five years.
"We have built and rehabilitated dams and pans, boreholes, and rural water supply schemes to provide clean and safe drinking water for communities in this province," he added.
With respect to coconut farming, which is major activity in the region, the President said he had mandated the Kenya Coconut development authority that he established early this week to revitalise the sub-sector.
Turning to the livestock sub-sector the President said the government had recently boosted its production potential by designating a Disease Free Zone covering 28 ranches mainly in Taita Taveta, Kwale and Malindi Districts.
"The zone will enable us to have a reliable source of live animals for export, and for the local market. Indeed, the Kenya Meat Commission at Kibarani, which I reopened in March this year is now processing up to 3,000 animals per month," he said.
He further said, milk processing in the province had been revitalised following the reopening of the Miritini K.C.C. milk processing plant noting he plant is currently handling between 4,000 to 6,000 litres of milk daily.
"The zone will enable us to have a reliable source of live animals for export, and for the local market. Indeed, the Kenya Meat Commission at Kibarani, which I reopened in March this year is now processing up to 3,000 animals per month," he said.
He further said, milk processing in the province had been revitalised following the reopening of the Miritini K.C.C. milk processing plant noting he plant is currently handling between 4,000 to 6,000 litres of milk daily.
The President however noted that both the Kenya Meat Commission Factory and the KCC Milk Processing Plant are operating well below their full capacity and urged farmers in this region to increase production of high quality beef and dairy cattle.
Saying that the government is committed to transforming Mombasa into a vibrant gateway to Eastern Africa and the wider COMESA region, President Kibaki observed that over the last four years, major construction and rehabilitation works have been undertaken in order to raise the status of the Port from that of a feeder port to a hub port.
Saying that the government is committed to transforming Mombasa into a vibrant gateway to Eastern Africa and the wider COMESA region, President Kibaki observed that over the last four years, major construction and rehabilitation works have been undertaken in order to raise the status of the Port from that of a feeder port to a hub port.
In addition, he said, the Government is in the process of coming up with a package of incentives to attract local and international investments into the tourism sector noting that as a result of the overall efforts in promoting Kenya as an attractive tourist destination, earnings from tourism grew from 25 billion shillings in 2002 to over 56 billion shillings last year.
On education the President said the newly established Pwani University College would be converted into a fully-fledged University within three years.
On education the President said the newly established Pwani University College would be converted into a fully-fledged University within three years.
On health, President Kibaki was gratified the prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in the province has dropped to the current level of 5.8 percent from 7.2 percent three years ago. He however cautioned area residents to remain vigilant to keep the disease at bay.
Once again the President asked Kenyans not be distracted from their normal nation building activities due to the impending general elections saying Kenyans had successfully held elections every five years since independence in 1963 and these year's elections were not an exception.
Other speakers were the Minister for Agriculture Kipruto arap Kirwa, the national chairman of the ASK Justice Steward Madzayo and the Mombassa branch chairman Iddi Khamis Mambo.
Other speakers were the Minister for Agriculture Kipruto arap Kirwa, the national chairman of the ASK Justice Steward Madzayo and the Mombassa branch chairman Iddi Khamis Mambo.
Also present were Cabinet Ministers Chirau Mwakwere, Morris Dzorro, Moses Akaranga,Kivutha Kibwana, John Michuki, Njeru Ndwiga and Newton Kulundu.
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