LAPSSET: Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport: News & Photos

LAPSSET: Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport: News & Photos

The Conversation



Kenya launches Lamu port. But its value remains an open question

May 20, 2021 4.07pm BST
Jan Bachmann, Benard Musembi Kilaka, University of Gothenburg

Container ship docks in the new Lamu Port

The first container ship to dock in the new Lamu Port. Official image from LAPSSET

Kenya’s newest mega infrastructure project, the Lamu port, has received its first ship. Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Jan Bachmann and Benard Musembi – who study the environmental, socio-economic and security dynamics along the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor – to provide insights into the history of the port, the opportunities it presents and the concerns around it.

When and why was the Lamu port project initiated?​

The Lamu port is part of an ambitious transport corridor between Lamu – a small archipelago north of Mombasa in Kenya – South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Kenya already has one deep-water port in Mombasa. Plans for a second one to diffuse economic dependency on Mombasa go back to the mid-1970s. However, it only materialised in March 2012. The occasion was marked when the then East African heads of states – Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki, Ethiopia’s Meles Zenawi and South Sudan’s Salva Kiir – laid the port’s foundation stone.

In its early ambition, the Lamu port figured as connecting the landlocked East African economies to global trade routes. More specifically, it was envisioned as an alternative outlet for South Sudan’s oil, which is currently pumped via the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline to Port Sudan.

With South Sudan mired in continuous war and Ethiopia upping its stakes in the ports of Djibouti and, most recently, Berbera, the international ambitions of the transport corridor shrivelled somewhat.

Yet, as a cornerstone of the Kenyan government’s Vision 2030 development plan, it is now branded as a “game changer” project.

Its new aim is to integrate marginalised northern Kenya into the Kenyan economy and the nation. Plans for the corridor include a pipeline, a railway line, a road network connecting Lamu, Garissa, Isiolo, Moyale and Turkana, a dam along Tana river, airports and resort cities. There are also plans to establishnumerous industrial areas along the corridor.

We show in our research that most of the plans are real on paper and government websites only.

Nevertheless, the implications for communities across northern Kenya are very concrete. Beside the completion of the 500km Isiolo-Moyale road, the official opening of Lamu port marks the project’s most salient achievement so far.

Constructed by the China Communication Construction Company, the first three of the planned 32 berths come at a cost of US$367 million.



What opportunities does the port present?​

Mobilising projections about future trade, the Kenyan government has persistently argued that the Lamu port will become a viable and necessary complement to the hub of Mombasa. Local authorities specifically invest their hopes in plans for a special economic zone, though to date these have rather been illusive. This promises significant investments in the port and the creation of hundreds of jobs.

Since the port will primarily serve as a transshipment hub, it’s expected to attract key shipping lines by competing with the ports of Djibouti on the horn of Africa and Durban in South Africa. In addition it would serve key markets in southern Ethiopia and South Sudan.
So far, around 19 shipping lines have inspected the port. The Kenya Ports Authority anticipates many will use it and take the generous promotional offers currently in place.

On the positive side, road works connecting Lamu to Nairobi via Garissa are well under way. And the new road between Lamu and Garsen has already reduced transport costs as trucks and travellers no longer need to go via Mombasa.




Once the project’s highway towards Garissa and Isiolo is completed, the former northern “frontier” region may benefit from the connection to the port.
But there are big question marks when it comes to the overall economic value of a second Kenyan deep-water port. This concern is driven by the deficient infrastructural integration of Lamu and Northern Kenya.

Logistics experts also warn that Lamu port has formidable potential to become a white elephant project because of the immense uncertainties about its core use.

What have been the big issues around construction?​

Planning and construction of the port have yielded a wide range of concerns and contestations, particularly on land rights, the environment, local livelihoods and security.

Different rights groups have documented numerous complaints by residents about compulsory land acquisition. One studyfound that the government had taken more land than it paid compensation for.

Another major concern touches on the environmental impact of the port’s construction, some of which came to light in a 2018 High Court ruling.
And local protests against the project have been met with harassment by Kenyan security forces.

The economic livelihoods of hundreds of local fishermen will be disrupted by the port because its extensive restricted area restrains access to viable fishing grounds. And in contravention of a court ruling that awarded fishers about KSH1.7 billion (US$ 18.4 million) compensation for their economic losses, the government has delayed the payments over disagreements about the list of beneficiaries and the mode of compensation.

Concerns about employment opportunities to residents are also growing. So far, around 100 youths from Lamu have secured employment at the Lamu port.

Lastly, there are security concerns. In the last 15 years or so, Lamu has become a highly volatile region. Attacks by the al-Shabaab militant group have brought violence to the area and turned it into a highly securitised region. Security operations have significantly reduced insecurity incidences. But periodic al-Shabaab attacks have affected construction activities.

How should these concerns be handled?​

The concerns from the community are weighty and require serious attention since they affect many aspects of their daily lives.

Our ongoing research shows that many of the concerns could have been averted if due process had been followed from the project’s inception. This includes timely and adequate compensation to everyone affected by the project. It also includes proper and robust environmental and social impact assessments as well as considering qualified residents for employment opportunities. Finally, there’s the issue of addressing the perennial problems of land rights in Lamu.

It’s vital that Lamu residents are treated as direct stakeholders and partners to the project. Their voices, concerns and aspirations should be taken seriously.

 
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji382]Danganyikans are very angry with Matagas and Magufuli for cancelling Bagamoyo port after Uhuru launches Lamu port

 
[emoji23][emoji23][emoji382]Danganyikans are very angry with Matagas and Magufuli for cancelling Bagamoyo port after Uhuru launches Lamu port

Bado hatujamaliza, ndo tumeanza tu! Ngoja waskie Lamu resort city na Isiolo industrial city !!!
 
Kwa wale wanaoichukia Kenya itabidi mjinyonge tu maana maendeleo yanazidi kufanyika huku. Sasa tunajitayarisha kuzindua nyaya za umeme kutoka Kenya hadi Ethiopia. Wenye wivu wajinyonge




 
Kwa wale wanaoichukia Kenya itabidi mjinyonge tu maana maendeleo yanazidi kufanyika huku. Sasa tunajitayarisha kuzindua nyaya za umeme kutoka Kenya hadi Ethiopia. Wenye wivu wajinyonge





As much kplcs tarrifs are abit high compared to its counterparts, you have to give it to them on consistency. I have not had power shortage in a very long time
 
As much kplcs tarrifs are abit high compared to its counterparts, you have to give it to them on consistency. I have not had power shortage in a very long time
Kenya is one of the few sub-saharan African countries with very few blackouts. Geothermal power which is stable, reliable and available 24-7 is the main reason behind that. Solar power is not available at night or during cloudy days. Wind power is not available during times when there is no wind. Hydropower is not available during periods of drought.

There are only three power sources that are very reliable and have almost 100% availability rate. Geothermal power, coal power and nuclear power. These 3 power sources are always available come rain come sunshine, at night or at daytime. However availability of coal power and nuclear power depends on the availability of inputs such as coal and uranium. When the price of coal or uranium is high this may increase the price of electricity or when coal or uranium is not available then electricity will not be available. Geothermal power requires no inputs such as coal or uranium it also does not depend on weather, time of day or drought. Geothermal power is the most stable power source in the world. It is available all the time except when the powerplant is under maintenance or repair.
 
Kenya is one of the few sub-saharan African countries with very few blackouts. Geothermal power which is stable, reliable and available 24-7 is the main reason behind that. Solar power is not available at night or during cloudy days. Wind power is not available during days when there is no wind. Hydropower is not available during periods of drought.

There are only three power sources that are very reliable and have almost 100% availability rate. Geothermal power, coal power and nuclear power. These 3 power sources are always available come rain come sunshine, at night or at daytime. However availability of coal power and nuclear power depends on the availability of inputs such as coal and uranium. When the price of coal or uranium is high this may increase the price of electricity or when coal or uranium is not available then electricity will not be available. Geothermal power requires no inputs such as coal or uranium it also does not depend on weather, time of day or drought. Geothermal power is the most stable power source in the world. It is available all the time except when the powerplant is under maintenance or repair.
Thanks.
I read that SA and Nigeria have serious blackouts and I was wondering how.
I mean in Nairobi unless its a scheduled maintance or something else, we don't have power rationing
 
Thanks.
I read that SA and Nigeria have serious blackouts and I was wondering how.
I mean in Nairobi unless its a scheduled maintance or something else, we don't have power rationing
SA and Nigeria are struggling with power rationing and power blackouts right now.


Just last week 7 powerplants broke down in SA removing 6,000 MW from the national grid. They have a big problem in SA right now.



South Africa's Eskom will implement nationwide scheduled power cuts from 1700 local time (1500 GMT) until Tuesday due to breakdowns at seven of its power plants in the last 24 hours, the struggling state utility said on Sunday.

Eskom said in a statement the breakdowns at the seven plants represented a "total loss of 6,044 MW (megawatts), bringing the total unplanned capacity lost to 16,118 megawatts."


 
As much kplcs tarrifs are abit high compared to its counterparts, you have to give it to them on consistency. I have not had power shortage in a very long time
Also the cost of power will come down once Western Kenya (Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Malaba, Kericho) is connected to Ol Karia Geothermal power complex. Right now Western Kenya gets its power from Diesel power plants (IPPs) which are expensive and also from Uganda. Geothermal power is much cheaper than the diesel used to power some regions of western Kenya. ketraco is building a powerline from Ol Karia to western region and it is almost complete.
 
SA and Nigeria are struggling with power rationing and power blackouts right now.


Just last week 7 powerplants broke down in SA removing 6,000 MW from the national grid. They have a big problem in SA right now.



South Africa's Eskom will implement nationwide scheduled power cuts from 1700 local time (1500 GMT) until Tuesday due to breakdowns at seven of its power plants in the last 24 hours, the struggling state utility said on Sunday.

Eskom said in a statement the breakdowns at the seven plants represented a "total loss of 6,044 MW (megawatts), bringing the total unplanned capacity lost to 16,118 megawatts."


Wow this is a disgrace
 
Making Mtwara port Great Again..
Making Mtwara port Great Again..



Alistair unloads in Mtwara​

6 April 2021
In cooperation with Tanzania Port Authority (TPA), CJ ICM and BEME VOF, Alistair Group has offloaded 16,000 cu m of oversized cargo at Mtwara port.



The cargoes arrived at the Tanzanian port onboard a Spliethoff vessel at the end of February. The shipment was offloaded in five days and will eventually be barged to a project site in Afungi, Mozambique.
www.alistairgroup.com


 
Hapag Llyod imeanza kupiga route za East Africa for the first time. Itapiga China hadi Mombasa na Dar kila wiki.

 
Hapag Llyod imeanza kupiga route za East Africa for the first time. Itapiga China hadi Mombasa na Dar kila wiki.


Hizi zote zitaanza kwenda Tanga na Mtwara ports pia EACOP pipeline itakapoanza kujengwa na pia LNG Mtwara na LNG Cabo Delgado itakapo-resume ujenzi!

 
Back
Top Bottom