National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Regional Development is currently inspecting government projects managed by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA).
The Committee led by vice chair Mary Wamaua visited the Lake Basin Mall Complex whose construction was initiated on August 7, 2013.
The mall located in Kisumu aims to uplift the living standards of the locals through employment opportunities and to provide avenues for conducting business.
The mall’s construction began on August 7, 2013, and was completed and handed over to LBDA on April 19, 2016.
The vice chair challenged the LBDA management to enhance marketing and publicity strategies to advertise the project.
Wamaua added that publicity will help people to know about the existence of the Mall.
"This is a great facility that can be well utilised to benefit the people. I challenge your marketing and publicity teams to enhance advertisement of the premises and look for other lucrative ways including lowering rent rates to attract customers," Wamaua said.
Members echoed her sentiments adding that if a public facility like Huduma Centre would be situated at the mall, more people would visit the facility hence getting to access other services within the mall.
The LBDA team further cited accessibility challenges saying that the road infrastructure linked to the mall was not well carpeted for ease of movement.
At Kabuchai Constituency, committee members in the company of area MP Majimbo Kalisanga who also sits on the committee launched the St Joseph Nalondo Girls' and Community Water Project.
The project is being implemented by the Lake Basin Development Authority as part of the drought mitigation measures.
The drilling, construction and equipping of the project is expected to benefit over 1,200 learners in the school and more than 4000 households.
The school management appreciated the gesture saying the project will bridge a huge gap by improving hygiene in the learning environment.
They said it will also improve academic performance and mark a reduction in social-related challenges attributed to insecurities when searching for water outside the confines of the institution.
Wamaua commended LBDA for the water project initiative while underscoring the importance of hygiene in schools, particularly girls’ schools saying that it will boost their confidence hence leading to improved performance.
The committee also visited the Kisumu International Convection Centre, a project managed by the State Department for Devolution.
Maurice Ogolla representing PS Devolution indicated that the facility once completed, will be expected to serve as a multi-sectorial conference centre.
Members observed that the project had stalled and contractors abandoned site by the indication of a busy environment showing little or no activity on site.
Ogolla explained that the project was inactive due to lack of funds. He said contractors had not been paid at the time of the committee's visit.
The committee members committed to engaging stakeholders involved in the multi-billion project to ensure its completion.
Other members carrying out the inspection include Kombe Harrison, Nabulindo Peter, Cherorot Kimutai, Khamis Chome, Paul Abuor, Tungule Charo and Yaqub Farah.