Prof Latigo faults Amuru leaders on investments
L-R: Mr Gilbert Olanya, Mr Jacob Oulanyah and Prof Ogenga Latigo inspect the sugar factory plant being constructed at Gem Farm, Pacilo Parish, Amuru District on Monday. Photo by Julius Ocungi
What you need to know:
Premature. Prof Latigo says some leaders in the district judge investments before proper scrutiny.
Amuru. Agago North County MP-elect, Prof Morris Ogenga Latigo, has slammed Amuru leaders over being judgmental on government’s investment plans before proper scrutiny.
Prof Latigo was speaking at Gem Farm in Pacilo Parish, Atiak Sub-county Amuru District on Monday where Horyal Investment Holding Co Ltd (Atiak Sugar) is setting up Atiak sugar factory on a 16,000 acres of land.
He was in the company of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya, Acholi Cultural institution prime minister, Ambrose Olaa and Democratic Party president Norbert Mao who visited the factory site.
The visit, organised by the leaders was to harmonise the relationship between locals and the investor following last year’s incidence where over 16 acres of sugarcane were burnt down in suspected land disputes.
Speaking to Daily Monitor in an interview, Prof Latigo said: “The Impression some leaders create while making categorical statement shows that they do not want investments yet they are not competent to judge whether the investments are the best or will serve interests of the locals. Thus, it’s important to bring on board people who are conversant in the field of investment.”
Omoro County MP-elect, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, said: “I pray that our leaders speak the truth this time for the sake of promoting development. People have fought investment plans in this area but from this sugar factory site being established, they should be able to get convinced that no one is interested in land grabbing.”
Kilak North County MP, Mr Gilbert Olanya, however, in an interview maintained that investors who come through local leaders and the community will be welcomed while those that seek land through state influence will not be allowed.
Atiak sugar factory will be the second foreign investment to be successfully established in the district following the establishment of Omer Farming Company Limited owned by Mr Linton Brimblecombe in 2014.
The sugar factory owned by Kenyan Business lady, Dr Amina Hersi Moghe, is expected to be commissioned in November this year with it’s first sugar production expected in 2017 at a scale of 50,000 tones daily.
Amuru land issues have been contentious and at several instances drove locals to protest against the government.
In Lakang village, Lamogi Sub-county, residents protested the proposed land giveaway to the Madvhani group of companies to set up a sugar factory on 40,000 hectares of land in 2012.
Last year in April, elderly women in Apaa parish, Paboo Sub-county staged a nude demonstration before two Cabinet ministers protesting the boundary demarcation between Amuru and Adjumani districts.
