COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN ADVANCED PLANS TO SET UP A MODERN INDUSTRIAL PARK IN KARACHUONYO
Homabay County is set to have the first industrial park after a deal was signed by the County Government of Homabay and the Export Processing Zone Authority.
Governor Cyprian Awiti who spoke after signing the documents Tuesday morning in his office said he was delighted and honored to bring a project of such great magnitude to the residents of Homabay County.
“This 1 billion worth industrial park will boost the agricultural and trade sectors especially the cotton industry, leather processing, fruit processing and many other industries and will attract investors from all walks of life,” said Governor Awiti
He added that the EPZ project is a transformative scheme with endless benefits to the Homa Bay economy.
The county Government has already leased 110 acres of land in Riwa, Karachuonyo Sub County for the project and the title deed is already with EPZA. The County chief thanked the community who gave the project a greenlight and promised they will soon be reaping off its fruits.
Some of the development projects that will be initiated in this piece of land will boost the agricultural sector by promoting cotton and textile industry. This is an area which used to bear huge productions, but dwindled following limited market.
The Governor promised to revive cotton production which has great benefits including employment creation for youth and women. The Fish industry, Animal feeds products and other industries like fruit processing would also be promoted.
“The Homa County EPZ project will definitely create value chain to these products,” He added.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Governor, Hamilton Orata, top EPZA officials that included Chairman Mr. Abdi Kadir, CEO Mr. Phanuel Kidenda, select managers and the implementation committee drawn from both the County and National Governments.
On his part, the EPZA Chairman said they feel honored since Awiti was the first Governor to sign such an MOU thus exposing the County to investors. He said this was a very important partnership since it is a public- public partnership.
“We appreciate the goodwill of the county Government and within two weeks we shall move to the site to do a proper master plan,” said Mr. Kidenda
He said they will move with haste to fence the land, connect it to electricity, partner with NEMA to meet the required environmental requisites and finally do the ground-breaking within 2 months.