- Business mogul Narendra Guru, the founder and chairman of the Devki Group of Companies, has already expressed interest to put up the plant in the area.
- The region holds great potential in mining and mineral processing due to the large deposits of iron ore.
Image: SOLOMON MUINGI
The construction of an iron ore processing plant in Taita Taveta county has received a major boost after the community agreed to cede a portion of land for the facility.
Members of Mbololo community in Voi on Monday unanimously agreed to set aside a portion of Mbulia community land for the multibillion-shilling iron smelting plant.
Business mogul Narendra Guru, the founder and chairman of the Devki Group of Companies, has already expressed interest to put up the plant in the area.
The proposed Mbulia land is close to the iron ore-rich Kishushe area.
The region holds great potential in mining and mineral processing due to the large deposits of iron ore.
During a public participation forum, residents underscored the importance of the investment, saying it would not only spur growth in the area but improve the county's economy.
The forum, which was presided over by Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, brought together residents from Tausa, Ndome, Ghazi, Wongonyi and Mbulia.
"This project has been long overdue, everyone needs to see the long-term benefits of this project. It is a life changing investment," Pauline Mbashu, a resident, said.
She pleaded with local leaders to keep off petty politics that has stalled some projects in the county.
Mbashu said the community will accord the investor all necessary support to ensure that the plant is completed on time.
"We have unanimously agreed to accommodate the investor in our community land. We therefore ask politicians to keep off because we want the plant to be set up as soon as possible."
Nelson Maghanga, a resident, asked the committee tasked to represent the whole community in engaging the investor on different issues which needs to be ironed out to exercise transparency.
He said the plant will transform the region and create employment to hundreds of unemployed youths.
"Time has come for our community to benefit from mineral processing. We are supporting construction of the plant because it will create a lot of jobs for our people," he said.
The residents further asked the committee to push for the community to be prioritised in construction work and other opportunities.
On her part, Kilalo assured the community that the devolved unit is committed to support investors to transform the region's economy.
She asked residents to unite and support development ventures that would improve livelihoods and trigger growth in the region.
Kilalo said the local leadership will ensure full public involvement in the project to minimise conflicts and guarantee widespread acceptability by the community.
Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya last week revealed that the government had mapped Taita Taveta as one of the key counties for iron ore value addition and processing.
The CS, who had engaged local leaders, said establishment of the plant would unleash the full potential of natural resources and bolster the region's economy.
"Creation of employment opportunities that come with the processing, refining and manufacturing of minerals; transfer of skills, knowledge and technology; and revenue generation,are but a few benefits of minerals value addition," the CS said.
He said processing of local minerals means an increase in value for minerals mined locally in both regional and international markets while at the same time creating job opportunities for residents.