In this modern
world, where almost everything is swift and instant, we can easily forget the
virtues of patience and that sometimes, we need to wait a little bit longer to
achieve the best results. In reference to an article published in the dailies
recently, some users of the almost complete Thika road superhighway are already
hard done by it and are blaming the Chinese contractors for the trouble.
According to the article, the construction work and the road itself is a huge
inconvenience to its users in terms of safety and navigation. Well: You get the
chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.
Modern highway
and infrastructure projects take a lot of planning, time, resources and
man-power, and these dynamics change periodically. The Nairobi Thika
superhighway is no exception. This project; with the largest amount of
investment ever since Kenya’s independence (estimated at ksh. 27 billion), is
two-way six to eight-lane attached with side pavements, bicycle lanes, green
belt, drainage system, lighting system, road signs and markings, traffic
signals, flyovers and underpasses.
The three firms
that have the contract for the highway project are all Chinese, and are the
China Wu Yi Company, Shengli Engineering Construction and Synohydro Corporation
Ltd. There have been delays and challenges owing to the high density of the
population, high traffic, underground pipes and networks. Despite those
challenges, the Chinese companies have worked with high efficiency and speed.
Construction is almost done with most of the road open to users and it is now
in the follow-up period of perfection and maintenance. It is now upon the road
users to take responsibility of their safety by driving carefully even as the
road nears completion and more safety measures are put in place.
Despite harsh judgment
leveled against them, the contractors have erected temporary signs on the road
to reduce accidents, but until the road is complete, drivers should exercise
caution and drive safely especially at night when visibility is poor. China
Wu-Yi has made steps of marking some parts of the highway and placed huge arrow
markings at the entrance and exits of interchanges. They have also placed red,
yellow and white stickers along the walls to help drivers at night. It is also
important to note that the Chinese contractors are only hired to do the
construction and they have no say when it comes to the design and other aspects
of the road.
On full
completion, which is expected to be by August 2012, the 50.4 km road will have
clearly marked lanes, clear road signs, adequate lighting, designated
pedestrian crossing and fly-overs among other safety measures put in place. The
diversions and boulders, the noise and the dust etc, which are part and parcel
of any construction work, will be gone.
The appraisal
report by the African development bank and the government projected fewer
accidents as the outcome of the Improvement of Thika superhighway. The numbers
have significantly reduced and with more care and strict adherence to road
rules by individuals, they can be reduced further. It is shocking to see
pedestrians making a dash across the four-lane and the other four in attempts
to cross the road at undesignated places. They have ignored the warning signs
put along the road and continue to endanger their lives. The fly-over at former
globe round-about is not meant for pedestrians and despite the clear warning
sign that pedestrians should not use it; they have been sharing the little
space with vehicles ignoring their own safety. Drivers have been recklessly
hitting the concrete boulders meant to divert traffic from dangerous spots and
to protect construction workers and areas still under construction and blaming
the contractors for putting them there. We should therefore have a little
patience on the road as construction comes to a near end and improve our
traffic culture to avoid the negative impacts of the ongoing road construction.
Nevertheless, there
is more to look up to than mourn about when it comes to the Thika superhighway.
The inconveniences we experience today cannot overweigh the benefits that this
highway is set to present in the near future and the signs are already there
for all to see. The highway has a strategic importance at the local, regional
and international level. It is part of the international trunk road connecting
Nairobi City with Ethiopia to the north. It will benefit the local farmers and
traders, transport operators, Kenyan and Ethiopian importers and exporters as well
as boost trade, tourism, agriculture and industrial sectors.
Kenya’s economy
looses billions of shillings during traffic jams. The highway, which was
necessitated by perennial traffic jams, is poised to open up new business
opportunities and investments, giving both Nairobi’s and Thika’s Economies a
major boost. Thika could soon be a suburb of Nairobi owing to the time it would
take commuters to travel to the city center and back. It would take the an
average of 40 minutes or less to travel between Thika and Nairobi; a major
boost for traders and industries from both sides as well as workers living and
working between the two towns.
Land value along
the highway is appreciating fast; Investors and real estate developers are
jostling for every available space along the road citing huge benefits once the
road is complete. The highway will open up areas along the road making it a
prime-land for both commercial and residential investments. New Infrastructure
is playing a big role in increasing the value of land due to the speculative
activities as the highway takes shape. Land prices along the road have
increased by an average of 50% the last two years.
As a result of
the superhighway, multi-million, classy residential areas, mini-cities are
coming up. Tatu City, Thika greens golf Estate, Migaa golf course, flame tree,
Oakfield valley, and Tatu city among others. These revolutionary suburbs are a
gold mine for investors as well as housing for many middle –income Kenyans
concentrated around the city center. The rise-of these gated community estates
has revolutionized housing and lured many middle-income citizens to the
prospects of enjoying modern mini-cities where all their needs are close to
them.
The rise of
these new communities has been coupled with demand for social amenities and
even more investors are coming in to cash in on these new developments by
offering services. At the Roysambu junction, a sh.450 million shopping mall
with several supermarkets, cinema halls, conference centre’s, offices and over 300
parking spaces is already coming up and is ready to cash in. The mall also
marks the entry of multinational Scandinavian supermarket chain, IKEA, which
specializes in furniture. Local household names have not been left behind as
the battle for new inhabitants with purchasing power begins. Uchumi
supermarkets also plan to build another mall in an adjacent plot. Nakumatt is
also set to build another mall along the road. In the fray, PepsiCo, a soft
drinks maker, is putting up a 2.4 billion plant off Thika road. This trend
indicates the need to serve a growing middle-income population along the
superhighway providing immense opportunities for investors and better services
for the people and a better economy for the country in general.
The
Nairobi-Thika highway is indeed a blessing to Kenyans and there is no room for
cynicism. We should be very grateful and supportive of all those involved in
the project who include the African Development bank who’s investment in Lot 1
and 2 is 8.03 billion Ksh and 8.72 billion respectively and the Export-Import
Bank of China (EXIM), concessional loan to Lot 3 at 9.44 billion Ksh. The
project designers include the Consulting Engineering Services from India and
the proud Kenyan Engineering Company, Aviation Projects &Engineering Co
Ltd. We must not forget the current administration for embarking on this
project and attaching great importance to it and the over 4,000 local employees
who have been involved in the process of transforming the old Thika road
nightmare into a soon to be heavenly ride to greater things.
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