While addressing the Lamwo district authorities and project contractors at the district headquarters, the World Bank Mission Development Specialist Mission Stephen Ajalu, said that they are impressed by the progress of the works.
The World Bank Mission in Uganda is impressed by
the progress of development towards the creation of social cohesion and
economic sustainability between the refugees and host communities activities in the
Lamwo district.
The World Bank Mission on Monday assessed the
status of works progress on the projects for the construction of a Community
Resource Centre at Lamwo Town Council and a market at Lagot Opuk in Palabek
Ogili Sub County.
The projects which are valued at three billion
and one hundred million shillings (3.1 billion shillings) are being funded by
the World Bank through the Uganda Support for Infrastructural Development
(USMID).
According to the contractual design, the
Community Resource Centre once completed will have a main block with a
community hall having a 150-seating capacity, a library, offices, and a
boardroom.
It will also provide water and power connections
to the national grid.
The Market at Lagot Opuk will contain a clinic,
offices, store, breastfeeding room, 18 lockups, 32 stalls, a waste collection
area, and mechanical and electrical installations among other infrastructures.
While addressing the Lamwo district authorities and project contractors at the district headquarters, the World Bank Mission Development Specialist Mission Stephen Ajalu, said that they are impressed by the progress of the works.
The team noted that once completed, the projects
will create many social impacts including economic sustainability of the host
communities and refugees, create employment, increase social cohesion as well
as peaceful coexistence.
Sheila Naturinda, the Communication Specialist of
USMID said the projects are intended to create social cohesion and harmony between
the refugees and host communities by bringing them together.
Leonard Akena, the Lamwo district USMID Coordinator
told the mission that work done at the market is already at 70%while the
resource center is at 45%.
He is optimistic that all the works will be
completed within the March 2023 stipulated deadline in the contract and handed over to the district for use.
//Cue in: ‘’many stakeholders came… //
Cue out: …is total compliance.’’//
Martin Onyach Olaa, the Senior Urban Specialist
at World Bank, however, advised the contractors to pay attention to social
safety and environmental impact assessment as well as engaging the local
communities.
Lamwo District Chief Administrative Officer,
James Okumu Bedijo, committed to ensuring that all works are done
within the stipulated guidelines.
The team also inspected the progress of road works
in Kitgum Municipality being funded under the same project.
The project works started in July this year and are expected to be completed by March 2023.
Lamwo district hosts about 53,600 refugees and asylum seekers
mainly from South Sudan, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR).
