Arua municpality to build in forest reserve
Feb 04, 2009
THE Arua Municipal Council will build public infrastructure in the de-gazetted Barifa Forest Reserve before allocating it to individuals, the mayor, Charles Asiki, has said.
By Frank Mugabi
THE Arua Municipal Council will build public infrastructure in the de-gazetted Barifa Forest Reserve before allocating it to individuals, the mayor, Charles Asiki, has said.
“We have had haphazard developments in this town which we want to move away from,†Asiki told The New Vision on Monday.
The mayor said the forest would first be surveyed and then divided into plots after which access roads and other vital infrastructure would be built.
Barifa Forest, situated on the eastern outskirts of Arua town, is among the dozen urban forest reserves that the Government has earmarked to be de-gazetted to allow for expansion of towns.
Asiki said their plan was to turn the 265 heactre area into a commercial and residential complex.
He said the municipality would meet the conditions set by the National Forest Authority before permission is granted to de-gazette any forest.
“They wanted us to find alternative land for the forest in equal size, which we have got at Lazebu in Logiri sub-county.â€
“They also asked us to submit an Environment Impact Assessment report, which we have drawn and handed in,†said Asiki.
He refuted rumours that the land had been allocated to some foreign investors and added that priority would be given to residents.
“The final allocation criteria will be discussed by the council and adverts placed in the media inviting people to purchase the plots when they are ready,†the mayor stressed.
THE Arua Municipal Council will build public infrastructure in the de-gazetted Barifa Forest Reserve before allocating it to individuals, the mayor, Charles Asiki, has said.
“We have had haphazard developments in this town which we want to move away from,†Asiki told The New Vision on Monday.
The mayor said the forest would first be surveyed and then divided into plots after which access roads and other vital infrastructure would be built.
Barifa Forest, situated on the eastern outskirts of Arua town, is among the dozen urban forest reserves that the Government has earmarked to be de-gazetted to allow for expansion of towns.
Asiki said their plan was to turn the 265 heactre area into a commercial and residential complex.
He said the municipality would meet the conditions set by the National Forest Authority before permission is granted to de-gazette any forest.
“They wanted us to find alternative land for the forest in equal size, which we have got at Lazebu in Logiri sub-county.â€
“They also asked us to submit an Environment Impact Assessment report, which we have drawn and handed in,†said Asiki.
He refuted rumours that the land had been allocated to some foreign investors and added that priority would be given to residents.
“The final allocation criteria will be discussed by the council and adverts placed in the media inviting people to purchase the plots when they are ready,†the mayor stressed.