Residents in Kilak Sub County, Pader district have donated over 500 acres of land to the government for the establishment of an industrial park in the vicinity.
Ray Charles Okwir, the councillor representing Pader Sub County says that the decision is in response to the government’s request for land to establish industrial parks in different parts of the country. The offered land covers part of the six villages of Agora, Biwang, Lalwal West, Lalwal East Lakwee, and Lapeny in Kilak Parish, Pader Sub County.
In May this year, the government approved a proposal to establish 25 industrial parks in all sub-regions in the country with a focus on value addition in agriculture products and minerals to scale up export promotion and reduce imports.
Yovani Open Okello, one of the donors says that thorough consultations amidst the community and council of elders have been explored and they have agreed to offer part of their over 3,000 acres of land that had been reserved for development purposes.
According to Open, the land in question was initially offered to Gulu University in 2009 but the institution lost interest in the offer that rendered it idle and with the current interest by the government has implored them to present it for the intended purpose.
Kilak parish Chairperson Christopher Opio Paco says that although the land was being utilized by the local communities for grazing animals, cultivation and other economic activities, it has been offered at no cost and it’s as well free from any form of contestation.
The Pader district Chairperson Col. (Rtd) Fearless Oyat Obwoya who also doubles as the Secretary for Production and Marketing applauded the locals towards the gesture of offering free land for development saying it would help harness the fight against poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy.
Obwoya is optimistic that the industrial park will spur development in terms of physical infrastructure like roads, electricity, and job creation, among others.
Pader district Chief administrative Officer Alex Chelimo says the district and the community land donors are currently working on an agreeable arrangement about the land ownership transfer to the district.
