Mr Chelugui assured the governors that the ministry had taken their concerns seriously and would ensure traders from the region are given first priority. By KITAVI MUTUAMore by this AuthorA fresh standoff has emerged between the contractor building the Thwake dam and Ukambani governors over the sharing of Sh11 billion worth of business opportunities arising from the project. The contract awarded to China Ghezouba Group stipulates that 30 per cent of works and supplies in the Sh36.9 billion dam — which is the first phase of the Sh63 billion multipurpose project — should be sub-contracted to local firms. LOCAL TRADERSHowever, China Ghezouba Group has defined local firms to mean Kenyan companies, including those from within the project area. The governors also want the four components of the Thwake dam project re-arranged to guarantee food security in the regionThe dam, a Vision 2030 flagship project, will be implemented in four main phases: Construction of a 77-metre-high dam; a hydro-power generation component; 34,600 cubic metres of water supply; and irrigation of 40,000 hectares of land.

Source: Daily Nation February 26, 2019 02:37 UTC