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By ALEX PITHUA
Greater Nebbi leaders have mooted strategies to unlock apparently untapped investment opportunities to spur Local Economic Development (LED) in the districts of Zombo, Nebbi and Pakwach in West Nile Sub-region.
Through agenda making processes individuals comprising academia, civil servants, religious, political leaders, business communities, farmers, special interests’ groups among others were consulted in a transparent three. Under what they are calling “Greater Nebbi Development Agenda” (Mbegi Pi Gyeru Pacu).
The leaders say this plan is in the trajectory of the National Development Plan IV of Uganda for ease implementation potential driver for high quality livelihoods individuals with available employment through skilled affordable labor force.
Emilio Udongo Wathum, the Chairman of the programme who doubled as the President of the Greater Nebbi development Forum in a sideline interview with our reporter implored that validation of the previous meetings is completed.
“This now a unifying agenda for development in greater Nebbi.” Udongo stressed during an interview
Jerry Kasamba Chief facilitator and consultant of the Greater Nebbi Development Agenda making process assured that draft Zero and fair draft is under review so that it is taken for joint council meeting adoption.
We have developed a draft zero of agenda making process right now we are doing the validation process for a fair draft for councils’ approval adoption. Kasamba observed
He added that after that we shall design the layout of the document for printing and the launch is expected to be held in Parombo town council, Nebbi district in April.
Steen Omitu, the Pakwach district LC V Chairman, has cautioned those with intention to frustrate this agenda to abstain completely because they will use the agenda for lobbying collectively to the government, development partners and investors as they taking it for adoption by the councils of Zombo, Nebbi and Pakwach respectively.
“I feel bad about our very own people who come home to comment on development in areas like Gulu, Mbarara and others yet they are the one to champion the course in this area….. I wonder what is in their minds.” Omitu said
With tag name; “Mbegi Pi Gyeru Pacu” literally Greater Nebbi Development Agenda 2025 sets clear vision mission and goals in services area including health and education, infrastructures, commercial agriculture, agro-processing and value edition, energy and minerals, business investment considering strategic location of West Nile in Uganda and countries like DR Congo, South Sudan and Central Africa Republic.
Hassan Ringtho, the Zombo district council speaker, responded in an interview that, as three district councils, they are aware of a common agenda for development in the region and the joint council will help them deliberate on the development areas of mutual interests.
Ringtho is sure they are acting within the law, quoting Section 2 of Local Government Act provides for a joint council for a common interest, “and therefore our common interest is Greater Nebbi Development Agenda.”
He said the three districts planned to hold the joint council on 7th March 2024 to discuss the Greater Nebbi Development Agenda.
Innocent Onega Godfrey, the LCIII Chairman of Paidha town council, cautioned members from diverting the agenda to advance their political interests.
Onega says rapid growth of urban centers, there must be a robust consideration for conducive living urging Paidha town council be alleviated to municipality status given its massive population.
Meanwhile the religious bodies of the area are championing several sustainable livelihood programs like promotion of small scale irrigation, establishing vocational institutions, poultry piggery and goat rearing etcetera.
During the consecration and installation of New Bishop for Nebbi district, Dr. Constantine Rupiny told the congregations that they will work with his colleague of Church of Uganda Pons Ozelle Awinjo to promote a productive community of flocks they are shepherding.
Bishop Dr. Rupiny said while incidences of multi-dimensional poverty are declining nationally, in Nebbi Catholic dioceses in particular the rate of decline is much slower.
“Our people still suffer a high level of poverty standing at 50% according to UNBS.”
The region encompasses various districts including Adjumani, Arua City, Arua District, Koboko, Maracha, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Moyo, Nebbi, Pakwach, Terego, Yumbe, and Zombo.
It enjoys abundant electricity after the government connected the sub-region to the national grid with optimism for investments
Nebbi district recently secured expansive land for stabling industrial park within Nyaravur-Angal town council.
The Zombo district Community Development Officer (DCDO), Samuel Ochaki, has rallied the local population to start appreciating locally processed products such as honey, maize floor, wine and beverages so that the few who are venturing in value addition can benefit.
Available raw materials like coffee, cotton, fish, water, avocados, Simsim Cassava Irish potatoes among others and affordable labor and land provide immediate opportunities.
This is the first period after centuries for the people of Greater Nebbi are championing a distinct unifying position towards a development agenda with holistic vision for everyone.
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