The LAPSSET Joint Technical Committee (JTC) held its third meeting on 19 and 20^th August 2024. The meeting is held prior to the 4^th Ministerial Council meeting scheduled to be hosted from 21^st to 22^nd August 2024. The delegates were appriised on the key progress made in the development of LAPSSET Regional Coordination Mechanism and the legal framework. During the meeting the coordination mechanisms and legal framework were validated.

 

Ongoing third LAPSSET Joint Technical Committee meeting in Lamu, Kenya

 

 

Amb Dr. Samori Okwiya, the CEO NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat gave his opening remarks where he reiterated the importance of developing documents that not only hasten the achievement of the objectives of the LAPSSET Corridor programme  but also address the challenges experienced before. In addition, he urged the JTC to ensure that;

1. The governments of the three Foot Print Countries take control of the implementation of LAPSSET by aligning their development plans with the key priorities of the LAPSSET corridor especially on the components being implemented in their respective countries.
2. The role of private Sector in the implementation of LAPSSET corridor, especially financing is well incorporated in the documents and each foot print country is free to either alone or jointly undertake PPP for implementation of LAPPSET Components.

• The policy documents allow member state to marshal requisite political good will within the three footprint countries and beyond to other Countries along the designed route of the LAPSSET land bridge from the Indian to Pacific Ocean.

1. The proposed policies ensure increased publicity and marketing of the LAPSSET Corridor across the African Continent.

Lastly, the CEO noted that while the challenges facing implementation of LAPSSET programme may seem overwhelming, the JTC must stay committed to realizing the objectives of the LAPSSET Corridor. He noted that the experience of the technical institutions positions represented in the JTC enough to foe the committee to come up with effective policies, strategies, and legal frameworks to ensure the smooth implementation of LAPSSET Corridor Programme.