Sh8 billion worth of gold has been discovered in Gem Ramula, Siaya County, and the government is working on modalities to ensure structured exploitation of the mineral, County Commissioner Norbert Komora has said.
Addressing this year’s Jamhuri day celebrations at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in Siaya town, Komora at the same time warned that the government will not allow a few disgruntled elements to incite the public against exploitation of the resource that he said will change the economy of both the local residents and the county at large.
“We must know that the government will not allow unstructured and unlawful exploitation to continue,” said the county commissioner who was flanked by senior security officials led by county police commander, Samuel Kobina.
He said that under the existing laws, the county government of Siaya will get 20% of the value of the gold while the local community will get 10%.
The county commissioner called on Siaya residents to continue supporting the broad-based government which, he added, had invested billions of shillings in several projects in the county.
Komora at the same time said the county was facing an imminent food shortage following poor rains that saw crops wilt.
He said that the county disaster management committee will soon meet to strategize on how to cushion the affected people.
Siaya governor, James Orengo who was represented by the county Director of Administration, George Okello urged Siaya residents to unite and make the county a model of collective growth where prosperity becomes the bedrock of excellence.
By Philip Onyango
