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PARASTATAL heads who signed the Mombasa port community charter risk being sacked if their agencies do not deliver on the contents of the new entity. The charter signed between the government and the private sector aims at improving the movement of cargo from the port into hinterland

Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau said the government is closely monitoring the performance of the charter, which was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Port of Mombasa in June.

Thirteen heads of parastatals and private sector organisations based at the port and those involved in activities on the Northern Corridor signed the charter.

The parastatals committed to the charter include the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority, Kenya National Highways Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards, among others.

In a speech read by Transport PS Nduva Muli during this year’s KPA annual stakeholder’s dinner in Mombasa on Friday, Kamau said signing of the charter ensures every agency plays its role in boosting the port’s performance.

“The government, through the coordination of my ministry, is closely monitoring performance of the charter that seeks to commit the parties towards significantly improved efficiency and competitiveness of the Northern Corridor,” Kamau said.

“This charter augments government's commitment to achieve an efficient, effective and therefore a competitive port that will drive the regional economies.”

During the launch, the President warned that the charter “should not become another document gathering dust deep in a forgotten office”.

He asked Trademark East Africa to avail an online report on the progress of the initiative so everyone can be held accountable.

Kamau lauded neighbouring countries and stakeholders for their preference to use the Port of Mombasa.

He said the government will strive to do more to make it easy for them to do business in Kenya.

Kamau said the government remains committed in speeding up projects aimed at boosting trade in East Africa.

The projects include execution of the Single Customs Territory, implementation of the Kenya National Single Window System, construction of the proposed alternative route from Mombasa port to Burundi and construction of the first three berths at the Lamu port.

Another major project is the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway to connect Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

Other projects include construction of the second container terminal at the Mombasa port, whose phase one is more than 70 per cent complete and will be operational by March 2016