Weekly round-up
Jul 18, 2010
THE recently implemented East African Community common market has nothing in offing for the youth, a trade analyst has revealed. The youth from Uganda are subsequently pushing for the amendment of the EAC treaty to have their interests addressed.
EAC leaves out youth
THE recently implemented East African Community common market has nothing in offing for the youth, a trade analyst has revealed. The youth from Uganda are subsequently pushing for the amendment of the EAC treaty to have their interests addressed.
“In this millennium, the youth and women are a great asset for the present and future. They are the driving force behind social, economic and political reforms but to leave them out is unfortunate,†John Ssempebwa, a trade analyst commented. Ssempebwa was addressing the youth in Uganda during the EAC programme youth and women stakeholders meeting on regional integration.
West Nile gets power
The embattled West Nile rural power project has got $18.6m from the Germans to resume construction works.The move is expected to ensure that electricity is connected to people’s homes and urban centres.
KfW, a German-development agency, has extended the grant to the Government to enable completion of the 1.5MW Nyagak mini-hydropower plant and construct power distribution network across the West Nile region.
Simon D’Ujanga, the state minister for energy, said $10m will be allocated for the electricity distribution network while $8.6m goes for the mini-hydropower plant.
“There has been a lot of anxiety about the project but I am glad that the funds are now available to complete the project,†the minister said.
“The Government has always had interest in developing the West Nile power project but we are changing our position from just having mere interest to becoming shareholders in the venture.â€
The channelling agreement facilitates passing funds from the Government to a private sector developer as well as implementation agreements defines the responsibility of government under private developer and aims at committing the private sector to operate the concession accordingly.
The West Nile rural power project has undergone endless disagreements between Government and WENRECO.
The Government and the Industrial Promotion Services Kenya agreed to set up a 1.5MW heavy-oil thermal plant to extend electricity to West Nile.
The company was also supposed to build another 3.5MW hydro-power project on River Nyagak.
A special purpose firm WENRECO, was formed to operate the two projects.
But the project that started in 2006 stalled due to lack of money.
THE recently implemented East African Community common market has nothing in offing for the youth, a trade analyst has revealed. The youth from Uganda are subsequently pushing for the amendment of the EAC treaty to have their interests addressed.
“In this millennium, the youth and women are a great asset for the present and future. They are the driving force behind social, economic and political reforms but to leave them out is unfortunate,†John Ssempebwa, a trade analyst commented. Ssempebwa was addressing the youth in Uganda during the EAC programme youth and women stakeholders meeting on regional integration.
West Nile gets power
The embattled West Nile rural power project has got $18.6m from the Germans to resume construction works.The move is expected to ensure that electricity is connected to people’s homes and urban centres.
KfW, a German-development agency, has extended the grant to the Government to enable completion of the 1.5MW Nyagak mini-hydropower plant and construct power distribution network across the West Nile region.
Simon D’Ujanga, the state minister for energy, said $10m will be allocated for the electricity distribution network while $8.6m goes for the mini-hydropower plant.
“There has been a lot of anxiety about the project but I am glad that the funds are now available to complete the project,†the minister said.
“The Government has always had interest in developing the West Nile power project but we are changing our position from just having mere interest to becoming shareholders in the venture.â€
The channelling agreement facilitates passing funds from the Government to a private sector developer as well as implementation agreements defines the responsibility of government under private developer and aims at committing the private sector to operate the concession accordingly.
The West Nile rural power project has undergone endless disagreements between Government and WENRECO.
The Government and the Industrial Promotion Services Kenya agreed to set up a 1.5MW heavy-oil thermal plant to extend electricity to West Nile.
The company was also supposed to build another 3.5MW hydro-power project on River Nyagak.
A special purpose firm WENRECO, was formed to operate the two projects.
But the project that started in 2006 stalled due to lack of money.