Containers at the Port of Mombasa. [Photo/ barakafm.org]
Burundi bound import cargo has continued to record growth at the Port of Mombasa as the construction of the new alternative route to Bujumbura takes shape. During the first week of December, Burundi-bound import containers jump-lipped from a mere 18 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) to 71 TEUs equivalent to 294 percent.Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director Catherine Mturi said the government was keen on ending inefficiencies at the Mombasa Port, so as to make it the preferred import and export cargo destination for the region.The authority has attributed the increased growth in cargo to infrastructural developments and other measures being implemented to enhance efficiency along the Northern corridor.Kenya has already completed construction of its section of the road from Voi to Taveta border with the other partner states of Tanzania and Burundi currently working on their section.The alternative route starts from the port to Burundi through Holili, Singida-Kobero border and finally to Bujumbura. The route covers about 1,545 kilometers which reduces the distance from Mombasa to Bujumbura through the Northern Corridor by 358 kilometers.KPA also plans to develop Taveta Depot that will be used to store cargo headed to Burundi and Tanzania. It has already acquired a 50-acre land at the border between Kenya and Tanzania in Taveta that will be used to establish the Inland Container Depot for cargo destined to Burundi.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published. http://bit.ly/2BipYa6