Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi received a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture led by the PS. for Agriculture Research Prof. Hamadi Boga who paid the Mombasa County Government a courtesy call at the Governor's office.
They later joined other citizens at the Mama Ngina grounds to celebrate the World Ocean Day. Here is the message Kingi sent to the world on this day:
"PS. Agriculture Research Prof. Hamadi Boga
PS. Higher Education and Research, Prof. Japheth Ntiba
PS. Shipping and Maritime Mrs. Karigithu
County Commissioner Mr. Achoki County
Government Officials present
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen,
Its my pleasure to join you and the World in celebrating the World oceans day today. The World Oceans Day is an annual event celebrated all over the world to address the many issues facing our ocean, human society and develop solutions that will create a better future.
This years’ theme is “Preventing Plastic Pollution and encouraging solutions for a Healthy Ocean.” Oceans connect all of us, linking people and nations in cultural ties, and they are essential for sharing goods and services across the world.
The importance of our oceans to every single living being on our planet cannot be overstated. Today, we celebrate all that the oceans give.
Unfortunately, our oceans face numerous threats such as climate change, ocean acidification, pollution, unsustainable and destructive fishing practices and the lack of capacities to address these threats.
The impact of human activities on oceans has increased dramatically, particularly the cumulative impacts, and the oceans’ carrying capacity is near, or at its limit.
This has become a threat in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is estimated that 2,200 tons of waste is generated each day in Mombasa.
Approximately 30 percent of the waste is attributed to plastics, cardboards and glass. Of the three, plastics pose the greatest threat to oceans because of our poor waste management habits. Plastics are washed by runoff to the ocean thereby polluting our marine ecosystem. The county government through the department of Environment is working on a framework with recyclers to prevent plastic pollution in the ocean.
The county is also engaging local communities in weekly cleanups to mop up plastics from the environment.
The Department of Fisheries is supporting fisherfolks to exploit the vast resources in the ocean. The artisanal fishing vessels used by our fishermen lack capacity to venture into the Exclusive Economic Zone. In fact, most hardly venture beyond sight of land.
The County is ready to work with other stakeholders and investors to tap the marine resources. Our County Integrated Development Programme has transformative projects that will change the fortunes of fisherfolk and the entire fisheries value chain. These projects will only materialize if we join hands and work together.
Among the proposed projects is the construction of a fishing port, 100 tonne multi-user cold storage facility, procurement of Modern industrial fishing vessels, development of mariculture, promotion of ornamental fishery, fishing gear manufacture factory, Fisheries training school and setting up of fish seed and feeds processing factories.
Going forward, we must promote sustainable use of oceans. This requires collaboration at all levels and across many sectors. Our collective resolve should aim at finding solutions to common problems. We can ensure that our oceans are peaceful, safe and bountiful, and remain healthy as our blue home.
Together, we can and will make a real difference!
Thank You All and God Bless You."