The Minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development Hon Judith Nabakooba has presided over the ground breaking ceremony for eight infrastructure development projects to be constructed under the multi-billion USMID -AF project in Kamwenge district .
Hon. Nabakooba who was flanked by the area member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture Hon. Frank Tumwebaze , said that the projects will include resource centers, market sheds, playfields, and roads.
The Minister called upon the district leadership to remain vigilante while supervising the six different contractors to ensure the delivery of quality works and complete the projects within the earmarked period of 13 months. “As you may be aware, the USMID program is ending in December 2022, and we do not have any plans for an extension. This means that as Kamwenge we have to work hard and work fast to beat the deadlines, Nabakooba stressed.
Together with Hon Frank Tumwebaze, Minister Nabakooba cuts a tape to open up a site that shall comprise of a market shed and a taxi park in Nkoma Katalyebwa Town Council
She explained that , the support to the districts hosting refugees under the USMID -AF project being implemented under the ministry of Lands , is intended to improve physical planning, land tenure security and carry out small-scale infrastructure investments targeting refugees and the host communities.
“ The choice of the civil works projects in the district hosting refugees was informed by the need to enhance social cohesion between the refugees and their host communities that is why we have markets, resource centers, playfields, and some other projects like roads and culverts are to enable the communities and refugees’ easy access to social services, “ Nabakooba told the residents at the event which was also attended by the USMID _AF Project Coordinator Dr. Isaac Mutenyo. The project is being funded by the World Bank .
Minister Nabakooba talking to the media after flagging off USMID -AF project works
In order to avoid delays in construction works, the Minister urged the local authorities to provide the contractors encumbrance-free land and register and document all vendors prior to building of the markets. Kamwenge district has three markets which will benefit from the project .
Nabakooba warned the contractors that delayed works due to change of staff presented in the bid documents , slow progress of works and abandonment of sites; lack of adequate equipment will not be accepted by the government . “I want to implore the district not to allow any contractor to start work unless all the required insurance and policies are provided.”
Employment opportunities for the youth and strict supervision by the local leaders
The Minister said that with six contractors in Kamwenge -there should be many employment opportunities created for the young men and women -including service providers of food, security among others. “ Each of the contractors is expected to hire local people from the communities and also refugees who can be proven to work well,” the minister advised .
Nabakooba emphasised that supervision and monitoring of the works falls entirely on the shoulders of the technical and political local leaders. “ President Museveni has promised these services to the people of Kamwenge. When such projects are successfully implemented, the political leaders, including your Minister get more energy to lobby for more because they know they are working for a people who support the programs extended to them,” she said .
