The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gulu city council has signed a Shillings 3.5 Billion agreement with German Development Cooperation (GIZ) for the construction of a landfill for the proper management of garbage in the city. Measuring 7 hectares, the landfill is found in Agwee ward along the Pece stream, approximately 3 kilometers from the heart of the city. It has the capacity of 188,079 meter cubes of waste processing per day.
Geomax Engineering, a local construction firm has been contracted to undertake the eight months project according to the agreement signed on Wednesday afternoon at Churchill Courts Hotel. Robert Towler, the team leader of German Development Cooperation says that they have developed an 18 year strategic program to improve garbage management, water and sanitation in the city.
He explains that the proposed landfill will reduce pollution of ground waters by 65% and urged the city authorities to prioritize garbage management, water supply and sanitation. The project financed by the German Development Bank-(KFW) will see 20% of the funds disbursed to the construction firm shortly after the commissioning of the work next week.
“We have streamlined the transaction to keep corruption away from the project and we expect the grant to achieve its target for supporting the local communities,” Towler added. Alfred Okwonga, the Gulu city mayor similarly warned the technical team implementing the project and contractor against corruption and shoddy work.
Michael Ocan Christopher, the Gulu City Environment Officer explained that the processing plant will help to boost the energy sector within the city from waste recycling.
Silver Nabayo, the Director Geomax Construction Company has pledged to work transparently in improving the waste management project. The development comes at the time when the council is battling poor waste management due to lack of a policy framework and limited funding.
The report from Gulu City Council Health Department indicates that only 10 percent of 137 tons of solid wastes produced daily in the city is collected and disposed using the only functional garbage truck. Biodegradable waste in the city accounts for 76%, plastic 5%, metal 3%, polythene 7% and other demolition debris 9%.
At Gulu main market, Jenifer Kamao who sells second hand shoes says that her business is struggling to survive since her stall is next to the cabbage collection point. Several vendors in the market who spoke to Uganda Radio Network shortly after the contract signing appealed to the Council to relocate garbage collection points from the market.
The 2019 Gulu District Health Department report shows that 20,663 people suffered from worms infections arising from poor sanitation related problems. At least 29,866 suffered from skin diseases, 25,588 from urinary tract infections while 24,606 got infected with diarrhea.
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