An impact study on the Sh1.5 billion Lamu port has been completed with the environmental watchdog inviting public comments on the project set for Manda Bay.

The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) said it had received the environmental impact

assessment (EIA) study from the Ministry of Transport for the construction of the first three berths and an access road.

Manda Bay is a rich marine ecosystem within the world heritage site and conservationists have raised concerns about the future of fishing once the port is operational.

The EIA report says the project sponsors would construct fishing ports, provide modern fishing gears, invest in cold storage facilities and offer training on aquaculture to address the concerns of fishermen.

The EIA has also proposed mitigation measures for ship discharge waste, effluent discharge, ecological and biological loss, dust and other emissions.
The gazette notice indicates that a maritime museum would be established to address concerns over erosion of the rich Swahili culture that made the archipelago be declared a world heritage site by Unesco.

There would also be a resettlement action plan and compensation to thousands of people who would be relocated from their farmlands to pave way for the project. However, there are concerns that speculators are rushing to buy land near the multi-billion shilling Lamu port site in the hope that they will be compensated.

READ: Official warns of Lamu port land invasion

The government has already earmarked nearly Sh1 billion to compensate the first batch of farmers whose land has been set aside for the Sh1.5 trillion seaport project in the archipelago.

Nearly 150 farmers around Kilalana, Mwashundwani and Hindi/Magogoni phase one settlement scheme area will receive compensation of between Sh2 million to Sh30 million depending on the size of farm.
The Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (Lapsset) will comprise a railway line to connect Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, a pipeline to pump oil to South Sudan, a refinery, airports, resort cities and super highways at a cost of Sh1.2 trillion.

The government has set aside Sh2 billion in the 2012/2013 financial year to start the port project.

The Kenya Ports Authority general manager in charge of engineering services Joseph Atonga said a contractor had been identified for the project at Hindi Magogoni.