[Article source: The Star, September 18, 2018, story by Dennis Dibondo @ddibondo]
Meru residents whose lands will be acquired for Lapsset projects will be swiftly compensated. Governor Kiraitu Murungi said his government supports the Lapsset corridor because the county stands to benefit, and expressed support for fast-tracking issuance of title deeds to enable compensation.
Lapsset chairman Titus Ibui said the project will open up 70 per cent of the country, and will result in job-creation especially in the nine counties the project runs through. It is expected that the LAPSSET project will also open up trade with South Sudan and Ethiopia. Once complete, Lamu Port will be the biggest in the country. Lands CAS Gedion Mung’aro said they will speed up issuance of title deeds within 90 days in areas where people have no title deeds, so they can be compensated.
Meru Tourism executive Ntoitha M’Mithiaru said the county was ready in case the city is relocated to Meru. Mithiaru and Igembe North MP Joseph M’Eruaki, said the Kachiuru area had a vast tract of idle community land suitable for a resort city. He further stated that the city would greatly transform the economy of the arid region.
