Cement maker East Africa Portland Cement (EAPCC) has asked China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the Chinese contractor building the Nairobi Expressway, to immediately cease mining of building materials on the former’s parcels of land in Mavoko, Machakos County.
The cash-strapped state corporation has accused CRBC of mining murram and hardcore from its land in Athi River without its permission and is threatening legal action. EAPCC reckons that CRBC’s activities will lead to degradation of the land and subsequent loss of value at a time when it is trying to dispose of several tracts of land to pay debtors who include banks and suppliers. The cement maker also desperately needs the cash to stay in business.
“EAPCC is a government agency and cannot encourage unethical practice by contractors in the development of infrastructure,” said acting Managing Director Stephen Nthei.
