by Asha John
There is a new construction project on Lamu Island in Kenya. This is to construct a port which will allow goods and services to be easily transported not only around Africa, but around the world.
The construction started on March 2nd, 2012. People from all around East Africa are feeling optimistic about what this port can bring to the economy. Lamu used to be a “bustling hub of trade” but now it’s populated by fishers and pirates. With this project, they are hoping to bring in large crude carriers and ships that will help transport East African oil and also other goods and products. This will create many new jobs in an area stricken with poverty for quite some time.
Some of the other benefits of this new port location are trains that originate from Ethiopia and South Sudan. There is also an oil pipeline from South Sudan. With easier transportation of oil and other goods, East Africa will be able to strengthen their local economies.
There are some people in the region who have some major concerns. Lamu is located very close to Somalia and people are worried about the pirates and the potential violence and interference they may cause. Also, Lamu is a World Heritage Site and this may not be able to be preserved with the construction. Although this is not good for historic preservation, people in this area desperately need jobs in order to get out of poverty. That should be their primary concern.
Lamu seems to be at the heart of a wealthy natural ecosystem, and it would be interesting to know from an environmental perspective what the social benefits / costs are in proving this opportunity of job creation. Profit or Benefit?
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