Concept
The LAPSSET Project is a development idea within Eastern Africa Countries of Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan. It is aimed to bring about transport and other infrastructure which will be key in creating a connection amongst the three nations through road transport, rail transport, air transport, fiber optics and other key infrastructures. The LAPSSET Corridor is also set to be part of the larger land bridge which is to create a link between the East African coast starting at Lamu Port to the West coast of Africa at Douala Port. As far as Kenya is concerned its main objective with the LAPSSET project is to open up northern Kenya and provide a reliable transport corridor.
Components of the project
1.The port (Lamu)
Located at Manda Bay, the port was set to consist of 32 deep sea docks during the initial proposals. It is also one of the flagship infrastructure projects by the Government in Kenya Vision 2030. The project will provide for complimentary facilities including a railway terminus, go-downs, container freight stations, tank farms, refinery, lorry terminals and social facilities for migrant workers. It is estimated that Lamu Port alone with the 32 berths cost an approximate US$ 3.1 Billion.
2.Standard gauge railway (SGR)
The Government of Kenya and the Government of Ethiopia signed a Bilateral Agreement to jointly pursue the development of the LAPSSET Standard Gauge Railway. The LAPSSET Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project is set run from Lamu to Isiolo (530 Km), Isiolo to Nakodok (738 Km) Nakodok to Juba (South Sudan) and from Isiolo to Moyale (448 Km), Moyale to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia).
3.Road network
The Main projected LAPSSET Corridor Roads include; –
Lamu Port access road (10km)
Lamu-Witu Garsen road (113km)
Lamu-Garisa-Isiolo road (530km)
Isiolo-Moyale-Hawassa road (505km)
Isiolo- Lokichar – Nadapal – Torit – Juba Road (700km)
The roads are aimed at interconnecting the region with the main benefit of connecting the landlocked countries of Ethiopia and south-Sudan to the coastline of East Africa.
4.Oil pipeline
The pipeline is set to run from Juba in South-Sudan to Lokichar in Turkana then to Lamu at the E.A coast. The Lokichar to Lamu Crude Oil Pipeline (LLCOP) will transport crude oil from South Lokichar to the E.A coast at Lamu for export. To minimize risk of exposure to factors such as harsh climate, human conflicts and wildlife the pipeline will be buried. A modern oil terminal to be established at Lamu port to facilitate tanker loading and off-loading.
5.Oil refinery
An oil refinery is set to be established at Lamu with a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. This is in response to the emerging discoveries of oil deposits within Eastern Africa.
6.Fiber optic cable line
With the rising need for internet connectivity and data transfer, fiber optics cannot be overlooked. The infrastructure is meant to run alongside the road network, the railway line and within cities.
7.Resort Cities
Three resort cities in Lamu (at Manda Bay), Isiolo and on the shores of Lake Turkana; and 1,420km 220 KV double circuit electricity transmission line along the LAPSSET Corridor are also set to be established to provide complementary services.
What has been done so far?
Lamu port
The original idea for the LAPSSET project was first envisioned in 1975. The groundbreaking for the project officially commenced on 2nd march 2002 at Lamu. However, it only materialized in March 2012. The occasion was marked when the then East African heads of states – Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki, Ethiopia’s Meles Zenawi and South Sudan’s Salva Kiir – laid the port’s foundation stone. Most projects, including the headquarters for the project, a police post, electric Power connection to the national grid, and water supply to the port were set up at the port of Lamu and the project began coming to birth with the police post and the headquarters ready in August 2013. Three berths have already been constructed with the first berth being launched in May 2021. The three berths are 1.2km long with one berth already operational offering trans-shipment for cargo.
Roads
The 505Km Isiolo to Moyale section of the road infrastructure, stretching from Lamu to Moyale and Nakodok through Isiolo, is now complete, as is the construction of the One-Stop Border Post at Moyale. Additionally, the Government has allocated funds for the development of a 280km Lamu – Garissa route up to gravel standard.
Pipeline
In 2015, the Crude Oil Pipeline Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies were concluded and a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) was signed in 2017 between the Government of Kenya and Upstream Investors (Tullow Oil Company, Africa Oil and Total). Moreover, Front-End Engineering Designs (FEED) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies were concluded in 2019.
Airports
In July 2017, the Kenyan Government opened the newly refurbished Isiolo International Airport. The airport has been upgraded to meet international standards, enabling various airlines and air operators to provide domestic and international flights. The terminal building and administrative block are finished, capable of accommodating up to 125,000 passengers annually and designed to welcome both tourists and citizens.
Resort cities
The Integrated Master Planning and Investment Framework for the Lamu Port City, incorporating the Lamu Port, SEZ, Resort city, International Airport, Rail & Pipelines has been completed and approved. The Integrated Transport Infrastructure Master Plan has also been approved and is underway. Additionally, the development of crucial infrastructure such as the Lamu Port, Lamu – Garsen road and Lamu – Garissa – Isiolo road are progressing in various stages. To facilitate access further, the Isiolo International Airport and Manda Airport have both been successfully constructed.
Railway
Ethiopia has already finished building the Addis Ababa to Modjo section and is now in the planning stages for the Modjo – Hawassa stretch. Additionally, the government of Kenya has plans to connect and upgrade the railway between Nairobi and Nanyuki, tying it into the LAPSSET SGR through Isiolo.
What Are the Ongoing Projects?
Housing for management and security personnel at the port is still under construction, with an estimated 70 percent completion rate. The dredging to expand the docking bays and reclaim land began in October of 2016 and is still ongoing. The Lamu Ijara Garissa Road project is nearly complete - with 74% finished - while the 10km Lamu Port Link Road has been completed and only 3% of the Garissa-Isiolo section is left. Designs for the Isiolo-Lokichar road have been done, but funds are yet to be committed. The 338km Lokichar-Nadapal route is almost finished, with only 2 percent left to do. In addition to this, the Kenyan government, along with a number of international oil companies, are working on developing the Lokichar to Lamu Crude Oil Pipeline (LLCOP) in order to make use of Turkana's South Lokichar basin oil resources. The government is still working hard to provide essential infrastructure services, such as water and electricity.
Estimated completion time
Though the completion for all the proposed projects under the LAPSSET umbrella is not definite, the projects are a key element in Kenya’s vision 2030.
What Are the Cost Implications?
Railway
The total cost of constructing the LAPSSET Corridor Railway and procuring its rolling stocks is estimated to be around US$ 7.1 billion, including civil works ($3.48 billion), tracks ($1.2 billion), rolling stock ($1.22 billion), signaling and telecommunications ($520 million), buildings ($300 million), and other costs (in millions).
Lamu port
The Kenyan Government is utilizing their domestic tax revenues to finance the Lamu port construction project. The Development Bank of South Africa has offered to provide KSh. 126 billion (US$1.5 billion) towards the construction of the Lamu–Garissa–Isiolo Road.
Sources of Revenue and Funding of the Project
Railway
A large amount of government initial capital investment for the LAPSSET Corridor railway is necessary. To fund this, additional resources can be sourced from international financial organizations as well as from Southern Sudan and Ethiopia. Finally, applying the PPP scheme might prove beneficial, where the private sector can take part in managing and running the railway with their specialized knowledge and financial resources based on a lease agreement with the government.
What are the Benefits to the Economy and the Community?
This project will significantly improve the social and cultural ties between East and Central Africa while aiding in reducing political tension in certain areas of the region.
Global maritime trade will be strengthened by these substantial ports, allowing ships to dock from around the world.
For landlocked countries like South Sudan, Uganda and the Republic of Congo, this project will be instrumental in opening up trading opportunities.
The large and the small-scale sectors created by this initiative will bring many job opportunities, helping to solve unemployment issues on a grand scale.
Gross Domestic Product will soar, improving the quality of life for the people of East Africa.
Construction Insights is a section of DezynBild Consult, that brings you insights on architecture, construction and matters of public projects.
This particular piece was put together by Lameck Owesi and Raphael Muindi, through a period of detailed research.
DezynBild Consult provides professional services in Architectural Design & Construction Coordination . WhatsApp Us: +254 715 429 997 | Email us: dezynbildconsult@gmail.com or info@dezynbild.com
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Very well-articulated article. I have always been aware of the LAPPSET Project. However, I was unaware of the extra infrastructural connectivity by airports, fiber optics, and the integration of resort cities. Thank you for the informative piece!