Five firms have applied for pre-qualification to bid for the planned 2^nd Nyali Bridge in Mombasa. This follows the close of the Request for Qualification at the end of last week.

The Transaction Advisory for the project is a consortium led by Deloitte (East Africa& India). Other member firms are Iseme Kamau& Maema Advocates, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, H.P. Gauff Ingenieure and Earthcare Services.

The project which will involve construction, operation and maintenance of a six-lane dual carriage bridge (three-lanes on either side) on a Public Private Partnership basis and is under the mandate of Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) which is the contracting authority.

The project is planned as a toll bridge, meaning motorists will pay to use the bridge which is expected to greatly enhance transport efficiency between the Island City of Mombasa and the Northern mainland through Nyali region. Feasibility studies have revealed this route has the highest vehicular traffic and therefore most critical in unlocking perennial traffic gridlocks in and around Mombasa City.

The Request for Qualification attracted firms from across the globe as follows:

Consortium of IHI, JOIN (Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport& Urban Development) and Acciona

1. China Communication Construction Company (CCCC)
2. Strabag
3. Consortium of Vinci Highways and Meridiam
4. Consortium of Mota Engil Africa, AIIM, Egis and Orascom

According to Richard Kyalo, Manager (Transport Economics) at KURA, who chaired the Pre-Qualification Opening Committee, the response by 5 reputable international firms in the project is a sign of strong interest by the market on the project and a mark of confidence in the procurement process.

The 2^nd Nyali Bridge Project is among major road projects earmarked for delivery through the PPP Model in the Country. This means a private sector player who wins the competitive tender process will raise financing, do the designs, undertake the construction and Maintenance of the facility and thereafter, get compensation from end user charges collected by the government on their behalf.

Firms pre-qualified at this stage will be invited to bid for the project (RFP) after which the eventual winning firm will be picked and awarded the contract to construct the bridge.

PPP Unit Director Eng. Stanley Kamau has hailed the PPP Model in delivery and maintenance of infrastructure in the country, as one which will enable mobilization of private capital as well as private sector efficiencies and innovation in delivering projects, hence accelerated development in the country.