Taita Taveta County Council Chairman Laban Tole has disagreed with a section of Taita professionals opposed to the construction of a multi-billion iron ore plant by the Devki Steel Company in the area.
He said the professionals had made it a habit to undermine
most council's projects intended to help eradicate poverty in the area."The other time they blamed me that I had sold the land of Taita just because we embraced an investment that would benefit our people and now they want to repeat the same. We call on the government to intervene so that the project kicks off as soon as possible," said Tole.
Sources from council have revealed that the town clerk had received a letter from the ministry of Industrialisation advising against implementation of the project. In November last year, Devki chairman attended a full council meeting and obtained consent to go ahead with the project.
Source: The Star
Have they considered the negative effects, in the long run, that may pop up? I don't agree with Mr. Tole as it seems they were easily lured by the fact that it is a multi-billion project, n the fact that Devki chairman graced there council meeting. Long gone are the days when people gave in simply because someone was a 'mshapa'.
ReplyDeleteI hope facts on the project will be availed and a wise decision made.
I too concur with the concerns of the professionals! What Mr Tole does not understand is that the whole deal was done unprofessionally! Was a feasibility study done? Was it(plan) communicated to all the stakeholders or the council feels the it thinks for the people without their direct consultation (even if it has their representatives in the council)?
ReplyDeleteThis issue has land constraints that has dogged this area since time immemorial.Gone are the days when decisions are done for the majority without their direct knowledge and approval. Let them learn from the Taita and Taveta Sisal land sagas. What is the local citizen getting directly when they talk of 'eradicating poverty'? Or is it eradicating poverty in a few through kick-back and recognition? Top-down decisions have no place in the 21st century.
Let the professionals be involved with the Devki Steel and help them in setting salaries for the locals and benefits etc so as we can monitor our locals not to be ripped off No kick backs and let it be done in a democratic way invite other companies tenders too if it was never done.
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