President Dr William Ruto has expressed the government’s commitment to ensure that all the 47 counties benefit from development projects.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for a 14 storey Affordable Housing Project at Busia Agricultural Training Centre on Friday, Ruto said that Busia has lagged behind in terms of development for a long time.
“Here at the Agricultural Training centre, we are constructing 2010 affordable housing units,” he said, adding that Sh5.7 billion has been set aside for the works.
He added that around 3,000 youth will get employment opportunities at the construction site urging the youth to apply for the available vacancies.
The head of state further said that another 2,000 affordable houses are being constructed at Nasewa Industrial park within Matayos constituency.
“Through the housing levy and housing fund, we have set aside Sh18 billion to construct 10,000 affordable houses, 14 modern markets and 6,000 student hostels in Busia,” he said.
The president at the same time said that another Sh1.3 billion has been set aside to supply power to 15 000 houses in Busia County. “We will ensure that the 15,000 houses are connected to electricity by June next year,” he said adding that any remaining houses will be addressed later.
Ruto also said that Matayos-Nangina – Sisenye road, Butula- Nambale- Amukura-Amagoro road and another 10-kilometre road leading to Special Economic Zone at Nasewa will be tarmacked from January next year.
He further stated that Sh900 million has been set aside for construction of a new stadium on a 20-acre land at Busia Agricultural Training Centre.
The President however warned the contractor handling the construction of a modern market at Korinda to speed up the works or risk losing the contract.
“We have also agreed that the standard gauge railway will be extended from Naivasha- Kisumu and Busia to pave way to other East African countries.
He promised to ensure that the country is united under the broad-based government adding that divisive politics will not be condoned.
Busia governor Paul Otuoma thanked the President for the development projects adding that they will create job opportunities for the local youth.
Otuoma asked the President to ensure that Jumuiya market is also established alongside the modern markets.
All the elected area MPs from the seven constituencies and the county woman representative Catherine Omanyo thanked the president for the development projects assuring him of their support in 2027.
Among the projects visited by the Head of State include Bumbe TTI for groundbreaking of hostels in Samia Sub County, inspection of Alupe hostels and a tuition block in Teso South Sub County, ground breaking of hostels at Amukura TTC in Teso Central and laying of foundation stone at Malaba Strategic market in Teso North Sub County.
The President was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula, the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya, the CS for Environment Deborah Mulongo and the PS for MSME Susan Mangeni.
By Salome Alwanda
