Mombasa County officials during the Thursday meeting organised by KENHA.[Photo/Sande Vincent]
The County Government of Mombasa is set to compensate residents who will be affected by the planned construction of the Mombasa Gate Bridge.On Thursday, Mombasa Lands CeC Edward Nyale and Transport chief officer Albert Keno led other county government officials in a stakeholders meeting organised by Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) to discuss the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the bridge’s feasibility study.During the meeting, participants raised questions over the compensation of those who will be affected by the construction of the bridge, as well as its safety.Responding to the issue, Dzilla expressed concerns over the displacement of settlements once the construction works begin.He, however, assured residents that both the county and national government will compensate those who will be affected.“When the government implements projects such as this, then it’s very obvious that it will require residents in the given areas to free up some space. Compensation plans are being factored in for those who will be affected,” said Mr DzillaThe Sh82 billion Gate Bridge which will be constructed across the Likoni ferry channel will connect Mombasa Island and the mainland.The project, which will take four years, is expected to ease transport along the channel upon completion.