Kenya-Ethiopia joint committee addresses Port of Lamu Project success

The Joint Technical Committee of Kenya and Ethiopia is presently convening in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to focus on the operationalisation and effective utilisation of the Port of Lamu.

Formed to address challenges encountered in the Lapsset project implementation, the committee aims to collaboratively devise solutions for its efficient and timely completion.

It aims at identifying opportunities and challenges that have impeded the full use of the LAPSSET transport corridor.

The Kenya Ports Authority(KPA) team led by General Manager Lamu Port Engineer Vincent Sidai pinpointed both opportunities and obstacles hindering the full utilisation of the LAPSSET transport corridor.

“The completion of infrastructure to support the logistics chains within the region including roads, full equipping of the Port of Lamu, harmonisation of axle loads, customs protocols, and systems, as well as the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, are among the key issues that were discussed,” noted Sidai.

The team was also tasked to investigate mechanisms to strengthen the Moyale One Stop Border Post and agree on port transport tariffs and informal fees along the corridor.

The committee brings together partner government agencies from the LAPSSET Corridor Development Authority and the Ethiopian Maritime Authority.

It was established by Kenya's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his Ethiopian counterpart Dr Alemu Sime.

Last year, the Ethiopian government announced its readiness to utilise the facility.

Additionally, the second transport corridor will cater to the transit needs of Ethiopia and South Sudan, fostering enhanced trade among neighbouring nations.

With a population of about 130 million people, Ethiopia has seen increased cargo volumes and is seeking to diversify the use of port facilities in the East and Horn of Africa to facilitate the movement of its exports and imports.

Alemu, who visited Lamu Port, and was hosted by KPA General Manager for Lamu Port Vincent Sidai, said his government would work closely with Kenya to actualise the Lapsset project.

Experts say that while the focus is on the port of Lamu, which is the anchor project of the larger Lapsset project, the collaboration will go beyond the port to ensure the completion of the standard gauge railway to link the two countries.

There will also be a road network with a dedicated corridor to connect the two countries and an oil pipeline to complete a multi-modal transport network that will enhance trade opportunities between Ethiopia and Kenya.

Murkomen and Alemu Sime inked a bilateral pact for the construction of a standard gauge railway network connecting Lamu Port to Moyale and onward to Addis Ababa.

Murkomen outlined ongoing efforts to construct the railway line from Lamu to Moyale via Isiolo, with a connecting link from Isiolo to Nairobi, integrating with the existing Mombasa-Nairobi-Malaba SGR route.