By Okwir Haron
Residents of Agwata Town Council have been urged to mobilize their children and women to take advantage of the employment opportunities expected from a new wood processing factory that will create more than 300 jobs.
The call was made during the groundbreaking ceremony of a wood factory to be established by LIU ZHAO SHENG Company, a Chinese investment company, in Odeye Cell, Amuda Eastern Ward, Agwata Town Council.
The project follows the community’s donation of 20 acres of land to facilitate its establishment.
Speaking at the ceremony, the LCIII Chairperson of Agwata Town Council, Hon. Tonny Obel, welcomed the investment, describing it as a transformative project that will accelerate the area’s development and improve the livelihoods of residents through employment.
He called upon local leaders to mobilize young people to prepare for the available jobs once the factory becomes operational.
Hon. Obel revealed that the proposal to allocate land for the factory was presented before the Town Council, where councillors unanimously endorsed the investment.
He further encouraged Local Council leaders to support women in taking advantage of business opportunities that will arise around the factory, such as selling food and other essential commodities to workers.
The District Councillor representing Agwata Town Council, Alex Owera Omola, appealed for unity among residents, urging them to remain vigilant against individuals who may oppose or attempt to frustrate the development because of personal interests or jealousy.
The Vice Chairperson of Dokolo District, Tonny Odongo Ocen, cautioned leaders in Agwata Town Council against interfering with projects intended to benefit the community.
He pledged the district’s full support for both the community and the investors to ensure the project’s success.
He also encouraged parents and guardians to prioritize education for their children, emphasizing that education remains the greatest investment and will increase their chances of securing employment as more development projects are established in the district.
The Dokolo District Police Commander, Baganzi Patience, thanked the community for embracing the investment and called for mutual respect and cooperation between residents and the investors to create a peaceful environment for the project’s successful implementation.
Meanwhile, the Resident District Commissioner of Dokolo District, Barbara Akech, welcomed the investors on behalf of the district, noting that the project will generate approximately UGX 200,000 per acre every month in revenue.
She commended the leaders and councillors of Agwata Town Council for facilitating an investment that she described as a lasting legacy for the community.
She urged residents to make full use of the opportunities the factory will provide, saying the investment is expected to improve household incomes, create employment, and stimulate economic growth in the area.
In their remarks, representatives of LIU ZHAO SHENG Company thanked the community for the warm reception and appealed for continued cooperation and support from local leaders and residents to ensure the successful establishment and operation of the factory.
