- The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development, Mr. James Macharia, EGH,
- Principal Secretary, State Department of Transport, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development, Mr. Irungu Nyakera,
- KPA Board of Directors present,
- KPA Managing Director,
- Distinguished Stakeholders and our Business Partners,
- Members of the Fourth Estate,
- All invited guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to thank you all for taking time off your busy schedules to join us this afternoon as we seek to promote and support the maritime business. I particularly appreciate the fact that lunch hours are very tricky to spare some time off our work schedules to attend partners meetings and more so luncheons.
Asanteni sana!!
As the great author Sarah Maclean cites - "The best partnerships aren't dependent on a mere common goal but on a shared path of equality, desire, and no small amount of passion". I am happy to see the increased level of enthusiasm and zeal shown by our key stakeholders and most importantly government through our parent Ministry, Bwana CS, to support Kenya Ports Authority in our quest to make the Port of Mombasa a world class seaport of choice.
On behalf of the Board and Management of KPA, let me take this early opportunity to thank the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development through the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary for gracing this luncheon as we engage with the business community.
As the Managing Director rightly puts it, Kenya Ports Authority is right on its way to becoming a top performing port in the world. We have made great strides through your support as partners, a fact that must be recognized and acknowledged.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is through your support that we have achieved significant milestones over the years ranging from port infrastructure development, equipment modernization to enhanced general performance. The Port of Mombasa is today among the top container ports in Africa ranking at position five after Port Said, Egypt, Port of Durban, South Africa, Tangier Med in Morocco and Alexandria in Egypt. Globally, our facility is featured among the top 120 ports at number 112 for two consecutive years – 2015 and 2016. It is satisfying to note that south of the Sahara, we are the second port that features in the top ports radar.
Particularly, allow me to focus on the most recent milestone that we have ticked which is the commissioning of the first phase of the Second Container Terminal last week.
This new Terminal is in line with the Second Medium Term Plan of the Vision 2030 and our own five-year Strategic Plan that outlines the implementation programme of the projects aimed at meeting capacity needs over the medium term. The strategy is geared towards developing the Port of Mombasa as a top performing port in all aspects including container operations.
This coupled with the development of smaller ports, improved efficiency along the Northern Corridor, the ongoing programme to relocate the Kipevu Oil Terminal to allow for expansion and the development of the special economic zones at Dongo Kundu are some of the major steps the Authority is undertaking to expand capacity at the Port of Mombasa.
As a Board, we are committed to supporting the management to achieve improved service delivery standards to not only become the top port in Africa but also match leading ports globally like the ports of Singapore, Antwerp and Shanghai, China.
We would like to emphasize that as operations continue at the first phase of the new container terminal, we at Kenya Ports Authority are particularly happy for the cooperation and support your Ministry has accorded us as we embark on the second phase of the same which is scheduled to commence next year.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Even as we pat ourselves on the back, a lot still needs to be done. We need to come together now more than ever. Port businesses require us to collaborate and have a common purpose and goal so as to achieve extradionary results and outputs.
The port is the beginning and end of a logistic chain. It is therefore critical that the port is efficient in its role of facilitating modal interchange. This requires that all parties with interest act efficiently and in harmony to facilitate delivery of cargo in the most cost effective manner.
Distinguished Guests,
In conclusion, let me reiterate the Authority's effort in growing business to enrich lives for the great people of this Republic and beyond. With these few remarks, allow me to welcome the Principal Secretary, State Department of Transport, Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing & Urban Development to make his remarks.
Thank You and God Bless You.
