By Godwin Abedican

Arua

After the diocese received funding from Missio Invest, a New York based Organization that supports poor churches, the diocese is set to commence the construction of a proposed Multi-billion pharmaceutical warehouse to be constructed in Ediofe.

Through a soft loan worth 1 million us dollars an equivalent of over 3 billion Ugandan shillings that shall be refunded within 7 years, the site for the construction was on Thursday 11^th January 2024, handed over to China Huangpai Machinery and Engineering Limited for immediate commencement of works.

Speaking during the site handover of the site, the Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoko, the Bishop Ordinary of Arua Diocese warned that the works must be done with transparency and accountability since the donors will be closely following its progress. “The team of Missio Invest visited us and found out that we have the capacity to handle such a project.

And as I speak, the money is already with us. They are very strict and do not want any mistakes especially where they have given us a loan without any collateral. A lot of transparency us needed because they also want to see the best,” Bishop Odoki said. 

The construction site is located opposite Ediofe Boys Primary School, adjacent to the school’s football playground. With a client, Joint Medical Stores (JMS) already in place to occupy the facility after completion following a standing memorandum of understanding between the diocese and JMS to use the facility for the next 15 years, the works are expected to be expedited within the project timeline of 6 to 8 months after commencement.

Benard Awich, the diocesan management consultant retaliates that this is going to be an opportunity for people to be employed with close monitoring of the works. “The first is we need to encourage the youth around now that we have given out the site for construction to commence, there will be a lot of need for labor for the next 6 to 8 months,” he assured.

Li Quang, the director China Huangpai Machinery and Engineering Limited pledges immediate commencement of the works and completion within the stipulated time frame given the urgent need of the project ”After this handover we are starting the mobilizations and wish to have some good progress within the dry season because in this region when it comes to rain season, the rains may not allow us to work well. So, we shall maximally utilize the dry season to push our work as fast as possible,” Li said.

The main components of the building will include a main store, other stores, a restaurant, a generator house, cold room and offices with sanitary facilities. The construction project is expected to take between 6 to eight months for its completion and handover top the diocese.

COVER PHOTO: Bishop sabino Ocan Odoki joined by some priests durig the site handover By Godwin Abedican