The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga has rallied contractors to employ local human resource in the rural areas where they set up government projects.
Speaking at the launch of a Shs. 31 billion rural electrification project for Kamuli district at Nakiwulo village on March 3rd, 2017, Rt. Hon. Kadaga unearthed reports that implicated several contractors in recruiting foreign labour for the top and good jobs, with local labour only employed as casual workers attracting low wages.
“Employ our local people who live in the project area. Many of our children have graduated from technical schools and can fully compete for these jobs,” she said.
The project to be implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is one of President Yoweri Museveni’s pledges.
The Speaker said that the people of Kamuli were getting one of their biggest projects and should embrace it and start planning on what to do with the electricity supply.
“Please think of starting up small scale businesses to utilize the electricity. This is an opportunity to change your livelihood by starting up small scale business like phone charging, hair saloons, restaurants and welding workshops,” the Speaker added.
She tasked the contractors together with REA to use contingence funds to increase the electricity grid by a few kilometers and also participate in Corporate Social Responsibility activities in the district.
“You will be here for 15 months working with the district environment officer. I appeal to you to plant trees in the areas you work,” she said.
The project contractors appealed to the district local government and the Police to offer community support to the project. They tasked the Police to provide security to combat theft and vandalism.
