Northern Corridor gears up for historic Heads of State summit

Long haul Trucks along the Nairobi - Mombasa road transporting cargo. [File, Standard]

The Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) partner states are in the final stages of preparations for a Heads of States summit marking the end of a six-year lull in presidential-level consultations on regional development.

The summit will be hosted in Rwanda before the end of the year.

In recent months, the partner states — Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan and the DRC— have demonstrated renewed vigour and commitment to implementing various projects.
The NCIP consists of 14 cluster groups, each focused on specific projects organised by the sector.

Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir today chaired a Principal Secretaries/Permanent Secretaries meeting of the NCIP as partner States prepare for the upcoming summit. The meeting which reviewed Land Cluster projects was attended by delegations from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan.

Korir stated that the report from the cluster group meeting will, once signed by the respective Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, be included in the agenda for the upcoming 15th Heads of State Summit of the NCIP.

“Land is a very crucial factor for the Northern Corridor Projects and programmes, I assure you of my commitment to work together with you in matters of land acquisition for NCIP,” said Korir.

He urged the cluster to hold regular meetings to effectively achieve its deliverables and emphasised the importance of regional discussions in finding solutions to land acquisition issues related to Northern Corridor projects and programs.  He urged all partner states to intensify their efforts to resolve land issues ensuring timely implementation of regional integration projects.

Head of the Ugandan delegation, Amb Richard Kabonero, thanked Kenya for convening the Land for Infrastructure Corridor Cluster meeting.

 Regional integration

He expressed appreciation for the Cluster Chair’s dedication in preparing the necessary documentation. He also informed the meeting that Uganda recently signed a contract with a Turkish company for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway. 

Rwanda’s head of delegation Donne Besigye (First Counsellor at the High Commission of Rwanda to Kenya) assured that the cluster would do a good job in facilitating infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening regional integration and development.

“I affirm Rwanda’s commitment to supporting the cluster by implementing sustainable land management projects under the Northern Corridor to ensure regional development and economic prosperity,” said Besigye.

Initiated in 2013, the NCIP has served as a platform for the Presidents of member countries to spearhead major infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing development and integration across the region.