Some of the people hired to clear the project site at work in the forest. Photo by Godwin Abedican.

By Godwin Abedican

Arua

Hon Denis Lee Oguzu, the Maracha County Member of Parliament has deployed locals to continue with the third phase of works towards developing part of Barifa Central Forest Reserve (CRF) to enable other phases of the project to be done.

Hon. Oguzu, won the bid to develop at least 10 hectares of the central reserve into an eco-tourism and recreational park from the National Forestry Authority (NFA) in 2019 after an open bidding process.

However, the works could not commence immediately as the city authority through the council refused to approve his development plan on the grounds of the plan presented by the developer not in conformity with the eco-tourism standard.

Adroa Levi, who hails from Adumi Kati parish says, this is something that gives them an avenue to get some little money to sustain their families.

Candiru Nolla, a casual laborer appreciates the improved security after commencement of the work saying, it has come timely to save especially the women. “As we work, we get some money. I am renting and also paying my children’s school fees and this is where I get the money from. This is one of the benefits such a project can bring to us,” Candiru said. 
 
On his part, Piriyo Gasper, the spokesperson for save Ayivu initiative, a pressure group that is advocating for the reduction of the size of Arua city so as to have a separate administrative unit for Ayivu says, it’s regrettable that such a development is being fought by the leaders in the city. “We have heard of the contestations and complaints especially from the local government of Arua city. It’s just a small clique of people who want to frustrate this development. To us as the people of Ayivu, we think if Hon. Oguzu won the bid genuinely to develop part of the forest reserve, then there is nothing wrong with that. The country has a huge youthful population who need jobs and such investments provide the opportunity so, what is wrong with that?” Piriyo questioned

Piriyo Gasper, the spokesperson for save Ayivu initiative,
speking during an interview.

According to Hon. Oguzu he intends to move forward from this level as other technical phases of the development are being pursued, “We promised jobs for the locals and that is taking place. We also promised to secure the neighborhood and more benefits will accrue to them. Pursuant to town and country planning regulations 5 and 6, our development plan was deemed approved and permission dully granted. In terms of the next steps, we shall move to do geotechnical investigations as required by National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), in which soil samples shall be picked from areas where certain class of structures shall be built for laboratory analysis,” Oguzu said.

However, Moses Ogutu, the physical planner Arua city maintains that the council still holds its previous decision over the matter. “Technically we looked at so many areas. When you look at Eco-tourism, what is supposed to be in it, his proposal is not in line with what is required of Eco-tourism. Having a parking space for over 500 vehicles and an Olympics size swimming pool with no plans of how the water will be managed among others are the reasons we felt it should be deferred,” he explained while speaking to the press.

According to him, the city was expecting a ruling or declaration by the court in the matter but the investor starting to work without that being done while knowing very well that the issues are still in court is illegal.

Much as NFA has continued to maintain that Hon. Oguzu followed all the necessary legal requirements to get the license to develop part of the forest reserve which is under their mandate, the city council still holds the position awaiting for a final decision from the court.