The site of the project by an Indian investor which was stopped by the county government of Kilifi over approvals, January 7, 2017. [Photo-The Star].
An Indian Investor is up in arms with the county government of Kilifi for allegedly blocking the construction of Sh60 Million projects at the Kilifi Creek.
The Investor Shahzid Ahmed Yusuf claims that he has been frustrated by the county government despite getting all approvals from other relevant authorities like NEMA, in the 3/8 acre piece of land.
The project which had kicked off before it was suspended is situated at a controversial site in the Kilifi creek that forced the investor to excavate sand before construction began.
His aim was to build a hotel, conference hall, showroom and bedsitters for business.
“The county Government is frustrating me, they say I cannot proceed with construction, I took loans to implement the projects, banks are now on my neck,’’ he said,
County Government officials, however, dismissed claims that they had blocked the investor from developing his project.
They revealed that the tycoon lost court battle three times after he sued the county government on the same.
Authorities said they were not frustrating the investor but wanted to ensure the project met all the legal requirement as it could threaten lives of people.
Charles Dadu the Kilifi County executive member for Lands said the investors failed to meet conditions required by the National construction authority.
Dadu said surprisingly to the investor he rushed to court after the project was stopped instead of pursuing the matter to the national construction authority.
According to the Lands CeC the investor was to conduct a full Environmental Impact Association study of the project and come up with the report.
“It emerged that the project didn’t undergo the full study, National Lands commission claimed the project was at the shores of the ocean and located at a public beach,’’ he said.
Dadu said the county government was not opposed to investments but needed projects that will not be a threat.
He said there were an alternative means of reviewing the project to suit the conditions required if only the investor was ready to proceed.
“Options are there but people need to sit and agree, engage all offices, including the National Lands Commission and the county government,’’ he said.