ALEBTONG, April 28, 2024 – Local government Minister, Raphael Magyezi has raised concerns over poor absorption of Shs 3 billion given by the Islamic Development Bank to Alebtong district under the Local Economic Growth Support [LEGS] programme.
Commissioning Alebtong market sheds constructed at a cost Shs 300 million under the LEGS funded by the Bank, Magyezi said the bank injected the money to boost small businesses.
“We have a facility of Shs 3 billion for the poor people of Alebtong but it is sad to hear that only Shs 168 million has been disbursed. What will you do with the balance of Shs 2.8 billion?” Magyezi asked.
His concerns followed a report by the Alebtong District Commercial Officer, Bob Oluk who disclosed that only 18 clients had applied to receive the money.
“By Thursday [last week] only 168 million has been disbursed,” Oluk said when Magyezi questioned the progress of the soft loan facility.
However, Paul Kasule Mukasa, the LEGs Coordinator in the Ministry of Local government said six applications for agro-machinery were sent to the Microfinance Support Centre [MSC] for review. MSC manages government and partner development funds.
“We have tractors and trucks for transporting produce to give to Alebtong,” he said.
Meanwhile, Magyezi directed Oluk to help vendors in the newly commissioned market to form a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation [SACCO] to access the money as soon as possible.
The minister also advised Oluk to approach MSC so that they start training the communities on the due process to access the money before the end of June.
“I want a report at the end of June. Invite the MSC here and make sure that this money starts moving to the communities,” he said.
In the same vein, the Alebtong district LCV Chairperson, David Kennedy Odongo said MSC should guide the population on how to access the money.
On her part, the Alebtong district Woman Member of parliament, Dorcas Acen urged the women in the district to embrace government programmes such as the Parish Development Model [PDM], Uganda Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme [UWEP] and Emyooga Programme.
The government chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua said government has sunk a lot of money in Alebtong district for the locals to use for their income generating projects.
“Being poor is now by choice because there are so many programmes initiated to combat poverty in the communities. You can either go for it or you remain statics in your states,” Obua said.
https://thecooperator.news/alebtong-leaders-urged-to-mobilise-saccos-to-benefit-from-legs-project/
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