Busia kicks off Sh350 Million market development project

Busia county and national government officials during the marking of road reserves within Busia town have called on residents to support the county government's efforts to facelift the town and restore order in public spaces. [Benard Lusigi, Standard]

The County Government of Busia in partnership with the National government through the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, has launched the construction of three markets worth Sh350 million in the County to enhance local trade and create job opportunities.

The markets earmarked under the funds are located in Korinda (Busia Sub County), Bumala (Butula Sub County), and Angurai (Teso North Sub County).

The Korinda market, with an allocated budget of Sh 50 million, is expected to be completed within 6 months, while Angurai market, also costing Sh 50 million, will follow a similar timeline.

Bumala market, which has been allocated Sh250 million, will take 18 months to complete.

During the groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma emphasized the significance of the project for the county, noting that it will improve infrastructure for trade.

"We have been lacking good places to do business, and poverty has been a major challenge. However, with the potential to serve as a gateway to East and Central Africa, these markets will provide a platform for business growth and job creation," Governor Otuoma stated.

He urged residents to put aside political differences and focus on development, especially for the youth, who will benefit from employment opportunities during construction.

"This is not the time for politics; it is time to ensure we help our youth to get employment. In this project we want our youth to be employed and work here," he said.

Otuoma stated that his government will ensure there are parking facilities at the market to improve the business, urging youth to ensure they register and benefit with 30% of government business.

"Youth should register and ensure you apply for tenders when they are advertised so that you get the 30% of opportunity for government business which is reserved for you and the people living with disabilities," he said.

The Senior Director of the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Polycap Onyango, directed the contractor to ensure the local people benefit from the project.

"The president has directed that a person who will be employed at the project should be a local from the area and even the suppliers of the material, unless confirmed beyond reasonable doubt that the skill is not available in the area because this is the aspect of the president's bottom-up concept that the local people benefit from the project," he said.

Onyango added that the National government is undertaking other projects in the county, including the ongoing construction of Sio-Port Market, 1000 affordable houses in Funyula, 2000 houses at Nasewa in Matayos to support the industrial park, and a dormitory for 300 students at Bukhalalire secondary schools, which will commence soon, stating that the department is determined to make Busia County great.

He urged the governor to help in securing a parcel of land in Malaba town for the construction of a standard market.

We would like to do a standard market at Malaba of about Sh500 million, but there is a wrangle on the land issue. We would also like to do residential houses of about 2000 if you will give us the land there".

Butula Member of Parliament Joseph Oyula asked the residents to ensure they produce more farm products that they will sell when the project is complete.

"Don't allow people from outside to take the stalls because you don't have anything to sell. The important thing now is to go to the farm so that when the market is ready, we will have what to sell in our market. I want to urge the youth to apply for loans and do business in our markets."