Gulu city residents oppose plan to build industrial park

GULU- Residents of Koro Lajwatek Cell, Pageya Ward, Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu city have outrightly rejected a plan by the city council to establish an industrial park in their settlement.

The council in the draft City Infrastructural Development Plan had proposed the area measuring over 600 acres to be gazetted for an industrial park. The draft plan is currently being displayed in the city and divisional offices with the aim of getting feedback from the residents and other stakeholders.

During a meeting held on Wednesday afternoon in Koro Subcounty, the residents of the area claimed that the city authorities drafted the plan without their input, yet they are the rightful landowners.

Benson Ongom, a resident, who could be affected if the industrial park is established in the area, accused the city’s leadership of imposing the infrastructural development plan on the landowners.

Ongom wonders why the city authorities are rushing to get another land for the establishment of a new industrial park, saying developing one at Bardege-Layibi Division has not materialised.

Betty Kilama, another would-be-affected resident said the development of an industrial park in the area would threaten their livelihoods since they have nowhere else to relocate. She urged the authorities to find them an alternative settlement land if they are to vacate the proposed area for an industrial park.

Charles Oboo, the LCI Chairperson of Koro Lajwatek Cell said over 4000 households will be affected if the industrial park is to be established in the area.

Oboo referred to the land acquisition law, saying authorities have not come out to say whether they will compensate the landowners, should they decide to go on with their project.

Peter Banya, the Deputy Resident City Commissioner, Gulu City East Division, where the industrial park proposed is to be built, said it has become very expensive for the government to compensate the landowners.

Banya advised the city authorities to revisit the proposed plan and if possible find another place for the establishment of the industrial park.

Efforts to reach out to Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu City Mayor were futile as our repeated phone calls went unanswered.

Gulu City has developed a new Master Infrastructural Development Plan in partnership with the National Planning Authority [NPA] and the Global Green Growth Institute [GGGI], a treaty-based inter-governmental international development organization headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. The draft master plan is being publicised to get feedback from the public.

https://thecooperator.news/govt-official-calls-for-low-cost-housing-in-gulu-city/

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