Mazera Ndurya | NATION The Dodori creek in Lamu East. The creek is part of the Dodori National Reserve, which is rich in marine resources. Management of the reserve has recently generated a lot of debate.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Reserve resources have remained untapped since its creation 40 years ago.
Now the proposed second port in Lamu has added a twist to the debate as the multi-billion project is expected to open up areas that were hitherto protected.
According to the port plans, there is a proposal to put up a tarmac road south of Kiangwe; the road is to run parallel to the coastline formed by the Dodori creek that is part of the reserve.
Kenya Wildlife Service, Lamu County Council and local leaders want the reserve protected and managed while others are calling for its subdivision so residents cultivate what they regard as idle land.
Reeling under a burden of its financial scarcity that affects even salaries, Lamu council wanted a strategic investor to develop tourism related projects.
According to minutes of a full council on September 21, 2010, the council resolved that an investor Silver Sites Limited, sign an agreement to lease Dodori.
The proposal by Kiunga Ward councillor Abdalla Sheikh Baabad and seconded by Councillor Mohamed Shali resolved that the clerk, the finance chairman and the council chairman sign an agreement with the firm at a premium of Sh1.2 million.
“Immediately after signing this agreement, a cheque of Sh1.2 million should be drawn in favour of the council, which amount will be used in paying councillors’ arrears.
“Further, the investor should pay 5 per cent increment as per the agreement, and ensure that the interests of farmers and fishermen are taken care of. The investor should, where possible, help put up roads and schools,” read one of the resolutions.
Former council chairman Hassan Albeity said the issue of getting an investor for the development of the park had preoccupied the council after it realised a huge resource was idle.
But Albeity was quick to add that the issue of getting an investor had not been easy because even with the council resolutions, it had to get approval from the Kenya Wildlife Service, who are the custodians of the reserve and the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema).
KWS has now unveiled a plan to develop a management plan that will tie with the new Constitution, especially the creation of county governments.
Lamu senior warden Michael Gichure said a programme for the management plan had already been drawn and the process was set to start in a month. It would bring together residents neighbouring the reserve, conservation organisations, government officials (ministries of lands, fisheries, tourism and environment) and the council.
“The proposed developments will be determined through a consultative process culminating in a 5-year management plan to be approved by KWS.
“The plan will identify sites suitable for accommodation infrastructure, such as lodges, wilderness tracks, hotels, tented camps, offices and staff housing, revenue gates, access roads and internal circuit roads,” Mr Gichure said.
He said the proposals by the council to bring in investors had not been communicated to the KWS and called on the interested companies to get in touch with them for proper advice.
“It is important to establish whether or not the investors are local to determine the maximum allowed lease period. It would be illegal for the company to attempt to get into agreement with the council since the council is not the competent authority as per the law.
“Once the management plan is ready, KWS will invite expressions of interest in public advertisement from potential hoteliers and tourism operators and successful proposals will then be subjected to environmental impact assessment,” Mr Gichure said.
But the storm surrounding the reserve started a while ago. At the height of famine in the larger Lamu East last year, nominated MP Shakila Abdalla sparked off a controversy by calling on the government to de-gazette the park so that residents can start farming.
Source: Daily Nation