K’jong warriors get employment

A LIMESTONE quarry recently opened in Moroto by the Private Sector Promotion (PSP) office is now offering casual employment to more than 300 Karimojong worriors, reports Abraham Odeke. This was revealed by the coordinator of the PSP, Mr. Jimmy Lamakol. He encouraged the Matheniko Mineral Exploration Company to invest in the quarry. Lomakol said the quarry was an alternative source of livehood for the jobless and school dropouts for whom the gun was the only way of life. He said his office was lobbying investors to utilise the abundant aloe-vera plant which is in high demand in the cosmetics industry. “Karamoja can supply the whole world with these plants which grow naturally here. We also have minerals like copper, rubies, platinum, marble, talc and titenium,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting more investors and all the warriors will abandon their guns,” he added. The director of works, Mohammed Lokerep, said the work was labour-intensive but he needed the Government’s assistance to speed up the excavation and transportion of limestone.