NEMA equips local government to end environmental degradation

ENVIRONMENT | NEMA | UNDP

The National Environment Management Authority(NEMA) on Wednesday, December 02, 2020, handed over field equipment to five districts to help in the preservation of the environment.

The equipment worth sh77.7m included cameras, laptops, desktop computers, and printers were handed over to officials from the districts of Mukono, Wakiso, Jinja, Buikwe, and Kayunga at Rader hotel in Seeta, Mukono district.

They (equipment) were handed under a partnership deal between NEMA and the United National Development Program (UNDP).

The partnership is intended to strengthen institutional capacity for effective implementation of the Rio Conventions in Uganda.

The districts which benefited from the project as part of a pilot study.

Speaking at the event, Francis Ogwal, the NEMA National Resources Manager noted that the equipment will help the district's natural resource committees to invariably capture photos in affected locations and to also document reports on a timely basis.

He added that this will help the management of the districts to always respond quickly before situations go worse.

"With a Camera, GPS, and a laptop one can be able to file a report in the field without necessarily going back to the office," Said Ogwal.

He also said that this will help them to do much more complicated and heavier tasks at the district level.   

Godfrey Kuruhira, the Wakiso Chief Administrative Officer, said that they have been having a challenge of capacity building and retooling.

"This equipment will help streamline our work. This development will ensure that we sustainably preserve our environment but gaps may still remain in empowering enforcement."

In his closing remarks, Ogwal urged the officials to double their efforts in protecting the environment.

"We can't afford to keep destroying our environment. Without a well-preserved environment, we will not stay long on this earth," he said.