West Nile leaders continue to engage in meetings to achieve connectivity to National Grid.

By Kaleb Yiiki

Arua

In order to make the Dream of Electricity connectivity to the National Grid come true, stakeholders in West Nile have resolved several action Points to achieve this Dream. Access to Reliable and affordable electricity supply plays a major role in improving The Quality of Life of Citizens and it is upon this backdrop that a Stakeholders Dialogue was organized at Muni University Conference Hall, by west Nile Development Association (WENDA).
In this Dialogue, it was expected that Officials from the Ministry Of Energy were to update the Stakeholders with the current Status of electricity Connectivity activities in the West Nile Region but the Officials from ministry of Energy; who had reported to the meeting venue were ordered; by their Superiors to never say a word and vacate the premises without clear reasons.

Onzia Khemisa, the Executive Director CEHURD West Nile Region says that the Ministry of Energy still needed to provide the required status Report. “Since 1914, this region has been deliberately kept in darkness and I think it is a strategy of monarchists to keep the people in darkness so that they are unable to challenges their Monarchy”. She lamented.

Whereas, Atiku Benard, the Former Member of Parliament of Ayivu Constituency says that while he was in Parliament, they witnessed signing of a contract to connect West Nile to the national Grid worth US$ 100 Million; but since 2019 the deadline to make connectivity of Electricity to west Nile Region has been postponed two times without proper substantive reasons. He also said that even though the Ministry of Energy has given a new deadline Date there is need to ensure that this is followed to the Dot. “We need assurance from Ministry of Energy that the project affected persons along Muni and Euata will have been paid in two months”. He recommended.

While raising concerns about Power Generation and Distribution, Feta Geoffrey, the Member of Parliament for Ayivu West Constituency in Arua City promised to sustain the demand cry for National Grid Connectivity until it is finally fulfilled and called on Government to expedite fulfillment of all the pledges to west Nile. The legislator also promised that as the President is coming to West Nile, he is aware of the demands of the people of West Nile as the People of West Nile Voted well in 2021, and did not behave like the people in Central Uganda, and that is why the NRM is in Government today. “No single person is bigger than West Nile. There is something we gave and that is what we are asking government in return; otherwise beyond this; our people may vote otherwise and we will not have the authority to speak like we are now doing”. He remarked.

Hon Feta Geofrey while remarking at the event

On the other Hand, Atima Lee Jackson Buti; the Member of Parliament for Arua Central Division, called for a concerted effort in Achieving this Goal. “All our small differences must be put aside. Because connecting West Nile to the National Grid is a starting of a journey of Development of this region to greater Heights. Our focus should all be when we shall be connected to the national Grid. We need the political support, technical Support and Community Ownership Support.” He Urged. Among the key resolutions passed included: Identification and Compensations of project affected persons who are those persons who have refused the passage of the High voltage power lines through their land and that the MPs are to engage these community members to ensure that they reach a consensus with Ministry of Energy to expedite compensation so that the power lines pass through their property so that everyone in the region benefits from National Grid Extension.

Hon Atima Lee Jackson Buti speaks during the engagement

Secondly Preparation of the Community readiness to consume the incoming Electricity. All political Leaders at various levels need to sensitize the community of the availability of the incoming Electricity and that they should ensure that each household has the capacity to be connected to electricity.
Thirdly Completion of the two Substations in Arua and Nebbi. Since the Power Stations in Arua is at 87% and in Nebbi is 83%, and before the completion of the two substations, ministry of Energy needs to expedite the interconnection process between Muni Substation and the Main Distribution Center; a space of three Kilometers and that Members of Parliament are to push for a supplementary budget to ensure that this is done with the effort of government Valuer within a two months period.

COVER PHOTO: Executive Director CEHURD West Nile with a Mic By Kaleb Yiiki