Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho on Friday blasted contractors tapped for government projects for slacking and taking longer to deliver way beyond the agreed time in tender documents.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony to initiate the construction of a modern fish landing site in Kipini, Tana River County, Joho publicly called out one contractor whom residents accused of delaying a project and not employing area youths.
The CS asked the contractor to join him at the podium and put him to task demanding a commitment that the modern fish landing site would be completed by the agreed-upon time, or else he would ensure that he and other contractors failing to deliver lost their jobs.
"You have assured us that you will be done with the project in the next 6 months. If you don't do so, the Ministry will blacklist you from handling any other government projects", CS Joho warned the contractor.
"After 8 months, we will be back here to open this project, and if the project is not done by 8 months, just take your leave," Joho publicly told the contractor.
Joho also reprimanded the contractor for not paying salaries to the few youths working on the project before directing him to ensure that all delayed salaries were paid on time. He was also directed to see to it that more youths from the region were employed.
"The youths here have complained that you don't employ them, and for the few you have employed you either don't pay them or delay their salaries, let that stop", the CS directed.
The CS was on a development tour to the county to initiate the construction of a modern fish landing site valued at Ksh 151 million. He was accompanied by Blue Economy and Fisheries Principal Secretary Betsy Muthoni.
The CS nonetheless expressed confidence in the project, assuring that it would offer employment opportunities to thousands of residents in the area.
"I am confident that once this facility is completed, it will support thousands of fisherfolk in the region."
Landing sites facilitate fishing communities with efficient processing, storage, and distribution of catches, enhancing economic opportunities and livelihoods for local fishermen.
During the event, the Cabinet Secretary also acknowledged that the Tana River area is rich in minerals, including copper, gypsum, coltan, and titanium. Joho revealed that the government through his Ministry is keen to support the county's economy through mining.
He promised residents that security would be beefed up in the region and the State would clamp down on unlawful mining to stamp out theft of Kenya's minerals.
"I directed security agencies to intensify efforts against unlawful mining operations under the Whole-of-Government Approach." the CS revealed.
