Construction of a Maritime Headquarters in Mombasa County is nearing completion. Transport Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS), Wavinya Ndeti confirmed the report and said the complex 94% complete and will be ready to accommodating other agencies between July and August 2021.
The Sh2 billion building located in Mbaraki, Mombasa is set to become a world maritime hub. It will house the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTTC) for Africa region and become a one-stop-shop for Africa maritime affairs.
The construction work of the 18-storey building, which started in February, last year, has severally been delayed due to some approval challenges. Initially the government had announced Sh1.8 billion as the original cost but the cost has kept on fluctuating. According to CAS Ndeti, by the time it time itโs fully complete, it will have cost the government Sh 2billion.
Maritime sector
The new office complex being constructed by Epco Builders Limited will have an 18-floor state-of-the-art office block, complete with an observatory level and a roof level featuring a helipad. The external component of the block will include a bio-digester, parking space, entry and exit gates with a sentry box.
The MTCC is one of the five centres the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will set up globally. Kenya Maritime Authority is a government parastatal tasked with regulation of maritime affairs.
โThe growth of the maritime sector has led to an enlarged mandate for the Authority and increased workforce to deliver on the Countryโs extensive maritime agenda.When completed, the building will be the hub for maritime activities. It will house a number of new government agencies set up to deliver a sustainable blue economy,โ said Ndeti.
