In his inaugural speech to the County Assmbly since his election as Busia County governor, Dr Paul Otuoma, heaped praises to the County Assembly of Busia for playing a big role in supporting his government by enacting legislation to govern the county
“I am happy to note that the County Assembly has continued to play its role by enacting the necessary legislative and regulatory frameworks, under Article 185 (2),” said the governor.
He continue, the said Article vests in this House the responsibility of enacting laws that are necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of the functions and exercise of powers of a county government under the fourth schedule of the Constitution.”
He further said the assembly has immensely contributed to improved service delivery to the people of Busia through the execution of its oversight roles.
“This House has immensely contributed to improved service delivery to the people of Busia through the execution of its oversight roles,” he noted
On the county revenue collection, Dr Otuoma said his government has developed a financial plan to stay on course, adding that they are making positive steps towards financial stability as a county through revenue collection.
“Emerging from a financially underperforming administration, my government has had to come up with policy formulations, debt management strategies, and a sound strategic financial plan to stay on course,” he stated.
He added, “We have accordingly put in place measures to increase own-source revenue for the county as well as automation to check on wastage. And the outcome has been exceptional, which is why my government is still financially afloat and is even registering solid steps towards financial stability.”
On Ward-Based Economic Revitalization programs, Dr Otuoma said his government is working with Members of the Busia County Assembly to formulate cooperative societies to not only empower the people of Busia but also increase food production and do value addition.
“My administration is accordingly implementing the Ward-Based Economic Revitalization programs, which is cross-cutting, in all the 35 wards.
Adding that, “The project entails multiple value chains of edible oil crops, food crops for food security, dairy, poultry, fish, and livestock.
We shall be establishing aggregation centres managed through ward-based cooperatives in every ward to assist farmers in production, access to finance, aggregation, marketing, and value-addition.”
He said when he took over the power in 2022 he partnered with the National government through Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) to improve infrastructure by expanding a 6-kilometer stretch from Korinda junction to the customs area terming it a dilapidated area that was causing traffic snarl-up along the border town.
“Upon assembling my government late in 2022, we hit the ground running by prioritizing the state of our roads within Busia town, especially between the Customs 11 offices and Korinda.
This stretch was dilapidated and narrow and Uganda-bound trucks parked on one lane, leaving vehicles, boda-boda riders, and other road users squeezing into one lane causing accidents and loss of lives,” he explained
The governor revealed that his government is negotiating with the national government to complete phase two of the lower Nzoia irrigation project to increase rice production in Budalangi to 20 acres.
“The county is also at an advanced stage of negotiations with the national government and World Bank to unlock funding for phase two of the Lower Nzoia Irrigation project, which targets an additional 20,000 acres for irrigation,” he stated.
On the affordable housing project in Busia County, the governor said that his government will willingly play the facilitator to execute the project adding that already they have received some requests for land allocation, from some sub-counties to allow the project to take place.
He also noted that he is committed to reviving and completing stalled projects in the county, urging the county assembly to allocate enough funds for the exercise.
“I wish to register my commitment to revive and complete the many stalled projects, which cut across various departments and sectors. And while at it, I implore this House to endeavour to allocate my government enough funds for this exercise,” said Dr Otuoma
In the health department, Dr Otuoma confirmed that purchasing drugs to the public health facilities in the county has been the greatest challenge in the provision of better health services in the county but his government has put in place adequate measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drugs.
“For a long period, procurement of drugs and other medical commodities has posed a serious challenge undermining our provision of health services in the county.
We have put in place adequate measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drugs and the latest dispatch from KEMSA happened only two months ago,” he stated.
Through the Directorate of Water and Sewerage Services, Dr Otuoma said in partnership with Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP)-USAID to develop the Busia County Water Policy, to address this problem, adding that the document will guide the achievement of sustainable management, development, and use of water resources, specific to the county of Busia.
“I cannot conclude my address to this House without touching on the crucial issue of access to regular and clean water, especially in the urban settings of this county.
This is a major challenge that most of us can relate to, but through the Directorate of Water and Sewerage Services, my government has developed the Busia County Water Policy, in partnership with Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP) – USAID, to address this perennial problem.
This document will guide the achievement of sustainable management, development, and use of water resources, specific to the county of Busia,” he said.
“And only late last month, President William Ruto, commissioned the Malaba Water Supply and Sanitation Project at Malakisi. This is a game changer in fixing the water scarcity problem in Teso North sub-county.”
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