The LAPSSET Authority has revealed plans to build a Sh 350 million desalination plant in Lamu by next year in a bid to alleviate poor water supply in the county. The desalination plant will be built and completed within 18 months after its launch next year, and is expected to supply at least 3,000 cubic metres of water daily once completed. LAPSSET Authority Director General Sylvester Kasuku made these remarks today in Lamu as he and Authority board members met Lamu County government officials. Kasuku said the authority is currently carrying out a study of where to locate the plant that will reclaim sea water into drinking water. “It is of note that the project to build a desalination plant was informed by the LAPSSET Project’s need to have both the resort and port city with a ready access to clean piped water, which has so far not been realised in Lamu County,” Kasuku stated. He however noted that there are still a few details that need to be agreed with the Lamu County government, but stated that the project already has a green light from the national government. A desalination plant is among a raft of one of election pledges that President Uhuru Kenyatta made to Lamu, which he noted had been plagued by poor water supply for access to its residents. “By building the desalination plant, we will be resolving the water crisis and poor water supply in Lamu, which is still among the regions where residents still have to walk long distances for access to fresh water,” the official stated. “The government will provide a spine of measures among which include access to fresh water, electricity and a good road network to ensure that investors know that Lamu is a viable investment destination both as an economic and industrial hub, as well as a resort city once the LAPSSET project is fully realised,” Lapsset Chairman Francis Muthaura also stated.  Muthaura said that by building the desalination plant, Lamu County will be transformed from a county that was once considered arid to an agricultural breadbasket for the country. He added that the LAPSSET Authority is ready to increase the county government’s capacity through mutual assistance in realising government projects that will create jobs for youths both in the formal and informal sector. Lamu Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud Bwana commended the move saying it will help resolve perennial water shortages in Lamu. “Lamu is poorly water piped and we recognise efforts by the LAPSSET Authority to alleviate water challenges posed to the county,” Aboud stated. By Amenya Ochieng … (LINK)