Residents in West Pokot County are irked about the delay in setting up the planned Ortum Cement factory at Sebit and they’ve threatened to go back to the lands they sold to the investor. This comes after a long period of waiting when former Prime Minister Raila Odinga officially laid a construction stone for the factory ten years ago.
Almost a decade after its commissioning, the multi-billion shilling project is yet to take off, dimming the hopes of residents, who’ve termed it a white elephant project.
The Cemtech Sanghai Company was awarded a 99 years lease contract in 2009 on 650 acres of land by the defunct local authority after which the County government reviewed and approved the contract.
The County is expected to benefit from a modern, environment-friendly factory, staff houses, schools, a medical centre, staff training centre and other amenities. Last year, Cemtech company handed the job to the new investor Simba Cement.
Residents are now accusing the investor of constantly lying and making numerous false promises. They’ve said they are planning to take legal action to revisit the agreement and revoke the lease titles of land bought by the investor.
The Chairman of Sebit Limestone Management committee Mr. Augustine Loria said the reality of setting up the cement plant has become a nightmare.
Loria said that the first investor, Mr. Rawal, hasn’t come to the ground to introduce the new investor, Mr. Narendra Raval of Simba cement, terming it a violation. He, however, said they welcome the new investor and public participation should be done. He has urged leaders to intervene, “We want the Governor and all elected leaders to intervene in the matter to stop the exploitation of public resources.”
Loria asked the County government to give a declaration on the way forward. “We are seeing big trucks transporting limestone at night and there is no revenue collected. The County government should intervene and the County Executive Member for trade should intervene.We want to know where are the stones being taken,” he said.
He asked Mr. Rawal to demolish the seven metre perimeter wall which has become dangerous to pupils. “It is delicate and it can cause havoc to pupils,”said Loria.
“Our patience is running out. We were told that the plant would be operational immediately, but that has not happened. We are asking the investor when the project will kick off,” said Longile Lokongolel, a local.
Another resident said they expected to benefit from the project but the delay is worrying, adding the greater West Pokot region has immense deposits of high-grade limestone that could last a cement factory more than 100 years.
In January this year, the Simba Cement company said it will start setting up the cement plant within one year after the government issued 6 out of 11 licenses that gives rights for mining to take place in the area. Mining and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes reaffirmed the national government’s commitment to ensure the factory kick starts operations adding that it’s a key player in the realization of the Big Four Agenda.