Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 Gulu City Council Signs Deal with GIZ for Landfill Construction :: Uganda Radionetwork
Robert Towler, the team leader of German Development Cooperation, says they that have developed an 18 year strategic program to improve garbage management, water and sanitation in the City.
Gulu City
Council has signed a Shillings 3.5 Billion with German Development Cooperation
(GIZ) for the construction of a landfill for the proper management of garbage
in the City. Measuring 7 hectares, the landfill is found in Agwee Ward along
the Pece stream, approximately 3 kilometers from the heart of the City. It has
the capacity of 188,079 meter cubes of waste processing per day.
Geomax
Engineering, a local construction firm has been contracted to undertake the
eight months project, according to the agreement signed on Wednesday afternoon
at Churchill Courts Hotel. Robert Towler, the team leader of German Development
Cooperation, says they that have developed an 18 year strategic program to
improve garbage management, water and sanitation in the City.
He explains
that the proposed landfill will reduce pollution of ground waters by 65% and
urged the City Authorities to prioritize garbage management, water supply and
sanitation. The project financed by the German Development
Bank-(KFW) will see 20% of the funds disbursed to the Construction firm shortly
after the commissioning of the work next week.
“We have streamlined the transaction to keep corruption away
from the project and we expect the grant to achieve its target for supporting
the local communities,” Towler added. Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City Mayor
similarly warned the technical team implementing the project and contractor
against corruption and shoddy work.
Michael Ocan Christopher, the Gulu City Environment Officer explained that the
processing plant will help to boost the energy sector within the City from
waste recycling.
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Silver Nabayo, the Director Geomax Construction Company has pledged to work
transparently in improving the waste management project. The development
comes at the time when the Council is battling poor waste management due to lack
of a policy framework and limited funding.
The report from Gulu City Council Health Department indicates that only 10
percent of 137 tons of solid wastes produced daily in the City is collected and
disposed using the only functional garbage truck.
Biodegradable waste in the City accounts for 76%, plastic
5%, metal 3%, polythene 7% and other demolition debris 9%.
At Gulu Main Market,
Jenifer Kamao, who sells second hand shoes, says that her business is
struggling to survive since her stall is next to the cabbage collection point. Several vendors in the Market who spoke to Uganda Radio Network shortly after
the contract signing appealed to the Council to relocate garbage collection
points from the market.
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The 2019 Gulu District Health Department report shows that 20,663 people
suffered from worms infections arising from poor sanitation related
problems. At least 29,866 suffered from skin diseases, 25,588 from urinary
tract infections while 24,606 got infected with diarrhea.