NAIROBI | Tuesday
CONCERNS over the environmental and social effects of a Japanese-funded hydro-electric power project in Kenya are threatening to stall construction of the dam, a Japanese diplomat said on Tuesday.
The first phase of the Sondu-Miriu hydro-electric power project in the west of the country is almost complete at a cost of $55-million.
However, work has now stalled since Kenyan and Japanese enviromental activists and some members of parliament in Tokyo called for a review of the project.
The Kenyan activists also alleged financial impropriety in some aspects of project implemetation and inadequate compensation of displaced people.
“We are not pulling out, but various environmental and social concerns have been raised,” Ryuhei Hosoya, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese embassy here said.
He added that the decision to scale down work at dam could also be viewed against the background of Japan’s increasing concern over Kenya’s ability to pay loans, Nairobi’s recent disagreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its commitment to good governance.
A technical committee made up of officials of the state-owned Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), non-governmental organisations and representatives from communities affected by the project is expected to meet on Friday to discuss the controversy.
The project is estimated to cost a total of $154-million with the Japanese government providing 80% of the funding, and generate 60 megawatts of electricity to ease Kenya recurring power shortages. – AFP
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