Page 62 - MANDERA-COUNTY- THE 2019 MAGAZINE

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Improved security,

communications

attract investors

Top-notch hotels have
been opened and over
30 communication
masts erected to
improve mobile and
internet connectivity.
The county has also
invested in market
infrastructure in all
seven sub-counties
notably the Elwak
SME Park and Rhamu
Integrated Market that
will house more than
650 traders

nce dogged by insecu- Fact Box
rity, dilapidated roads and
Olack of telecommunication Over 18,000 metric Tons of agriculture
services that almost turned it into produce earn farmers over
a ghost town, Mandera is now a Sh1billion
thriving business hub following the
advent of the county government
which has turned the tide around. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)
says Mandera contributed 0.5 to the GDP
The county government has in-
vested heavily in infrastructure, bUSINESS bOOM: Investment has thrived in Mandera Town, with hotels and malls taking
security and played a key role in advantage of a vibrant market.
the expansion of the telecommu-
nication sector, attracting private
investors in real estate, transport, from a paltry three to over 20,. of exploitative fuel prices,” devolution the capacity has in-
hospitality, cottage industries, Three shopping malls and a super- Top-notch hotels have also been creased to slightly over 1,000 with
farming and petrol stations. market that never existed before opened and over 30 communi- an impressive commercial value.
In collaboration with the national are now in place. cation masts erected to improve
government, Mandera has wit- On petrol stations, Abdiaziz ex- mobile and internet connectivity. The employment of over 1,800
nessed the construction of tarmac plains that residents of Mandera The county has also invested in workers by the County Govern-
roads, while the poor road network were burdened by high fuel prices market infrastructure in all seven ment and the influx of casual la-
that characterised the area has due to the poor state of the road sub-counties notably the Elwak bourers following a construction
been upgraded and maintained, from Nairobi to Mandera and the SME Park and Rhamu Integrated boom in the area has also led to
turning rough roads linking wards monopoly by a few businessmen Market that will house more than increased business in the county.
and sub-counties into all-weather who invested in the energy sector. 650 traders who will sell a variety
thoroughfares, improving trade. That is now a thing of the past. of commodities. However Abdiaziz appeals to
County Executive Committee In the hospitality industry, Abdiaziz the National Government to con-
Member Abdiaziz Sheikh Maad, “The improved road network and adds that before the establishment sider the reopening of the border
says the heavy investment under- increase in the number of petrol of the County Government, Man- to foster cross-border trade and
taken by the County Government stations has been a boon to motor- dera hotels had a bed capacity also open up the closed quarries
had attracted investors. The num- ists and businessmen in Mandera of 120 whose standards was con- to cushion investors from the high
ber of petrol station has increase who for many years bore the brunt siderably low, but six years after cost of building materials.