Coast

Concerns mount over delayed asset transfer

National Assembly Committee on Implementation inspects three parcels of land at the coast

By Farhiya Hussein | Saturday, February 10, 2024

The Public Investments Committee had made recommendations in its 21st report to the 11th Parliament that the Ministry of Water and Irrigation guarantee the transfer of assets to CWSB is completed within a specific time frame.

The National Assembly Committee on Implementation has expressed concern over the Ministry of Water and Irrigation's failure to ensure that the transfer of assets to the Coast Water Services Board (CWSB) is completed within a reasonable timeframe; nevertheless, this is yet to be done more than nine years later.

The committee spoke on Friday while on an inspection visit of three parcels of land originally owned by the Coast Water Services Board that have since been encroached upon by illegal developers and squatters.

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The lawmakers, under the direction of Chairperson Raphael Wanjala, carried out the inspection tour in response to the Coast Water Works Development Agency's (CWWDA) alleged inability to carry out house resolutions.

The Public Investments Committee had made recommendations in its 21st report to the 11th Parliament that the Ministry of Water and Irrigation guarantee the transfer of assets to CWSB is completed within a specific time frame.

At the inspection location, the Coast Water Works Development Agency's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Martin Tsuma, briefed the legislators on the status of each House resolution that had not yet been fully implemented.

National Assembly Committee on Implementation inspects three parcels of land at the coast

The delegation did a spot inspection and uncovered three land parcels, each entirely claimed by a private developer, as well as individual residential units that were in ruin.

The CEO claims that the land was fraudulently allocated, and the majority of those living there have ownership documents but are not legitimate proprietors.

In order to meet its financial responsibilities and compensate for losses, the MP Wanjala-led committee also sought answers on a number of other issues, including the Agency's failure to revise water tariffs imposed to WSPs in order to increase income and enforce debt collection

He also outlined the actions the agency has taken to protect its assets.

"Although no assets have been transferred as of yet, the agency has filed complaints with the National Land Commission and EACC on behalf of the Ministry; we are currently conducting searches and registering restrictions through the Ministry; and we have initiated court proceedings through the EACC." said Engineer Tsuma.