Mr. Alaka, there is no doubt in my mind that the urban development of Arua is inevitable.Any sustainable urban development can not be premised on economic viability alone. The key to economic sustainability is social and environmental viability. Service delivery and infrastructure development are very central elements economic, social and environmental sustainability. You have mentioned that Oli and Arua Hill Divisions are un-expandable. I wonder if in these two divisions(Oli and Arua Hill) you have mentioned have adequate service delivery and infrastructure that has been optimized and thus necessitates expansion. What is the social, health and environmental conditions in these areas you have mention. From what I observed in these two divisions you have mentioned which are not expandable, the infrastructure and service delivery is minimal. The question in my view is why think of expansion when infrastructure and service delivery are almost non existent in these divisions. Is it not be a better idea to improve infrastructure and service delivery in these locations before we even think of opening new virgin forestland for expansion? If the Municipal does not have a master plan, or the Master plan they have is that of 1984 as you mentioned, then the discussion should be around developing a modern Master plan for the municipality not opening new forest land for expansion. How in the first place was the concept of the Eco City realized without a Municipal Master plan? The transformation of Arua town must involve very serious discussions with the people who you mentioned have leases. They are the people who need the service delivery and infrastructure most because they live there. They are the people who need the amenities to improve their living conditions. The municipal, local government and civil society has the responsibility to engage those people in the discussions that will benefit their standards of living. The typical example of what happens when the local population is not involved in the development decisions is exactly the problem you have mentioned about Arua Hospital Lagoon. This Lagoon project has also exposed the danger of only considering economic benefits over the social, health and environmental benefits in such projects which are supposed to improve the social, health end environmental situations in an area. Such examples should guide us in the need to involve the local community (because they are the key stakeholders) in a serious conversation with all stake holders when it comes to planning developments. I strongly believe Oli and Arua Hill Divisions have a lot land for planning development projects especially associated infrasture development and service delivery when the people in those divisions are engaged in development issues that will improve their conditions of living. I guess Barifa Forest has no people living there to speak for it, as such is the scapegoat for the development and expansion of Arua municipality without a master plan. I also think the issue here is also that of priorities? What are our priorities expansion and destruction of forests or service delivery which depends of infrastructure development and is vital for improving the living standards of the people.
Vasco On Fri, Oct 5, 2012 at 4:07 PM, Caleb Alaka <[email protected]> wrote: > Vasco, Arua is like old Kampala. It has Oli Division which is > unexapandable and Arua Hill Division which has no room for expansion . The > structural plan the town had was that of 1984. The town was bedeviled > during the term of Wereba as the town clerk. When statutory leases > wereabolished, land in the Municipal reverted to the District Land Board > though it was the Municipal which allocated the land. I even doubt whether > the municipal had a master plan. Look at the Impasse the Hospital lagoon > caused. By the way, the dilapidated structures had valid leases running on > them. To transform Arua is difficult because those houses are in accordance > with the terms and conditions of the leases. It is against this background > that one can easily conclude that Arua is dead. It cannot grow. May be I > should state that it is stunted. Otherwise thanks every body for the > debate. It is healthy. Good night > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Oct 5, 2012, at 7:32 PM, Vasco Oguzua <[email protected]> wrote: > > Mr. Candia, > > I think I would need some education on the Eco-City project not a lecture. > if the information was shared widely may be I ould have at read for my self > and educated myself. However, the point of my concern is why open a virgin > forest land has to be destroyed for development at this time when there is > a lot of existing undeveloped or underdeveloped areas lying around in a > sorry state, and yet there are no attempts or decisions made to develop > them. I am aware that there will come a time when the Barifa area will be > considered for expansion of Arua urban development, but I do not think the > time is now. The municipal council together with business people, > including the chamber of commerce and other local leaders in Arua need to > understand the fact that lack of attraction of businesses in Arua is not > lack of a new urban area, but the absolute lack of good infrastructure. > > I truly will appreciate if any of the technical team can send me the > business concept documents especially the document that provides the > rationale or statement of the problem or need for which the business > concept was developed and what alternatives were employed to arrive at the > decision that a new virgin land had to be opened to develop Arua > municipality. > > Ms. Winfred you are right on the point of where the funds for the new > development will be obtained if there is no fund for redeveloping the > existing dilapidated infrastructure. > > As for Mr. Alaka, I do appreciate your response but what I am is not clear > to me is how Arua has hit a dead end, which you mentioned in your response. > Arua has hit a dead end in what and why? > > Thanks for your responses, > > Vasco > > On Fri, Oct 5, 2012 at 11:40 AM, Winfred Adukule <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Vasco i agree with you entirely! Candia its not a matter of brushing >> Vasco off he has asked pertinent questions and the 'technical team' should >> answer on the same forum! >> And to pick up from where Vasco left off. . . >> >> If its an issue of urban growth what has been done to salvage the >> existing infrastructure? If the district has failed to raise funds how then >> are the funds going to be readily available to put up such a project? >> >> If we are taking openess let all interests pecuniary or otherwise be laid >> on the table for all to discuss! >> >> Its really unfortunate that a forest has to be cut down all in the name >> of development! Its a pity indeed >> >> Winfred Adukule >> On 5 Oct 2012 15:35, "aliti candia" <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Vasco requires some lectures from the technical team of ECO CITY in >>> order to appreciate the need for urban growth of Arua. >>> >>> *Candia Tom Aliti** >>> Principal Finance Officer * >>> *Budget and Finance Division, **Planning Department,* >>> *Directorate of planning and Development,**Ministry of Health.* >>> *P O Box 7272,Kampala.* >>> >>> *Mob Tel. +256772574789* >>> >>> Email: [email protected]. >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> *In justice and moments of decision, do not maintain attitude of >>> indifference.* >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> >>> --- On *Fri, 10/5/12, Caleb Alaka <[email protected]>* wrote: >>> >>> >>> From: Caleb Alaka <[email protected]> >>> Subject: Re: [WestNileNet] Sunday fete at Kati Kati >>> >>> To: "A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile" <[email protected]> >>> Cc: "A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile" <[email protected]> >>> Date: Friday, October 5, 2012, 5:28 AM >>> >>> >>> Well stated Vasco, your concerns are legitimate, the last time I was >>> in Arua Avenue, the road was deplorable. Indeed I took issue with the Mayor >>> and the LC3 Chairperson of Arua Hill Division. I was informed that the >>> roads in Arua town were taken over by the Uganda National Roads Authority >>> and that the Company contracted to work on Vura customs Odia -Koboko road >>> would work on the same. Barifa indeed is a sticky issue. Apparently that >>> land was gazetted as a forest reserve meaning that the National Forestry >>> Authority is at law the owner of Barifa. It is for that reason that NFA >>> told Arua Municipality to get an alternative land to relocate the forest >>> before the same could be de-gazetted. It is true Arua has more pressing >>> problems. However, it is a fact that Arua has hit a dead end. Efforts to >>> expand its boundaries suffered a still birth, indeed there were plausible >>> reasons for Ayivu elders to resist the expansion of the town. Arua has been >>> floated for a city status by the Urban Authorities Association. The idea of >>> developing Barifa as an Eco city is in tandem with those aspirations. Gen. >>> Saleh is an Encroacher or trespasser on that land. He has not taken the >>> whole of Barifa. Indeed the master plan for the Eco city will not have room >>> for illegal structures. All these are issues we need to address. West Nile >>> Foundation does not have a hall and we can not consult under a tree. Lest >>> not imagine that 20,000 shs which is the equivalent of Us$ 4 is the >>> boundary of haves and have nots. We should encourage the culture of low >>> self esteem. Any way your leadership considered the issue and waived off >>> the 20,000 and those who feel that the water or soda they will take is not >>> free and the venue they will have with electricity e.t.c has to be paid >>> for will in the spirit of self help pay the 20,000. But those who genuinely >>> can not afford the same should turn up. This is a consultative meeting. >>> >>> Sent from my iPho >>> >>> On Oct 5, 2012, at 7:52 AM, Vasco Oguzua <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> This is interesting to read about Nile Eco-City Development, the >>> Business Case concept for Barifa. Just recently I read on the papers about >>> the issue of Barifa Land being given to Salim Saleh for paying Ex_Soldiers >>> and building a memorial. It seemed in the article about Barifa Land was >>> still being contested for how the land was being given to Saleh. Now there >>> is already a consultative meeting being done for the development of this >>> same land. I was wondering if that issue of the forest land being given to >>> Saleh has been finalized and mutually agreed upon by the municipal council >>> in Arua in whose jurisdiction that land falls and are responsible for the >>> initiation and planning of development projects in the municipal. >>> I was wondering if these people who are presenting the business concept >>> working for Saleh or are they being hired or contracted by Arua Municipal >>> Council? I would imagine that if the municipal council is really very >>> serious about the development of Arua Municipality, their priority would >>> be at least to fix the dilapidated infrastructure in the municipality, the >>> roads (pedestrians and vehicles share the same narrow roads and there are >>> no pavements for pedestrians to walk, no proper sewage system as such you >>> go around the town and especially around the dilapidated market where you >>> find feaces all over the place creating health hazards for the population, >>> Some of the public toilets in places like the one at Gagaa Bus stage is >>> deplorable to visit. I guess as there is no electricity in the town, it is >>> difficult to talk about traffic lights which used to be available and >>> working. The buildings are all worn out and need renovation. I do not know >>> if the Arua Chamber of commerce still exists, but I would imagine that >>> those kinds of meetings would be associated with the redevelopment of town >>> rather than exploiting the forest area. All the office Buildings are in >>> shambles, just the other day I heard the Police station toilets were in a >>> deplorable situation. I tend to think the current priority should be to >>> renovate the current infrastructure in Arua municipality, but not to cut >>> more trees for a new town centre >>> Picturing how much there is to do in the redevelopment of the >>> municipality, it would be inconceivable to think of breaking a forest land >>> to build a new town centre while there is still so much to do in the >>> current business centre. I wonder if these development concepts are what >>> people are crying for or provide the current needed services to the >>> population in their current demand and needs or are they just selfish >>> individual profiteering interests???!. >>> I even wonder why any consultation in the public interest should have a >>> fee to attend! Is that to weed out the haves from the have nots. I would >>> beg to think that public consultations should be open fora for every >>> interested and concerned individuals that limiting the attendance to a few >>> who can afford the 20,000.00/- which is not small amount for the ordinary >>> people. >>> >>> Vasco >>> >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 3:36 PM, Ocaatre Ronald Miria < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Hi President! >>> This sounds very exciting and i wish i would be there to witness the >>> presentations. >>> These are the kind of things we want to see from our own as we work to >>> develop WN. I want to thank Joel and Dennis for their visionary out look >>> for the region. >>> Brothers and Sisters the challenge is now for us to see how we can pick >>> up and popularise this dream for the Great West Nile. >>> Caleb receive my apologies since i will be in town after 7th october. >>> Best of luck to you all. Let us get to know what next after the >>> presentation. >>> >>> Ronald M Ocaatre >>> >>> >>> --- On *Wed, 3/10/12, Caleb Alaka <[email protected]>* wrote: >>> >>> >>> From: Caleb Alaka <[email protected]> >>> >>> Subject: [WestNileNet] Sunday fete at Kati Kati >>> To: "A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile" <[email protected]> >>> Date: Wednesday, 3 October, 2012, 15:34 >>> >>> >>> West Nile Foundation has organized a consultative meeting about the Nile >>> Eco-City development concept and the business case for Barifa at Kati Kati >>> Restaurant main hall Next to Lugogo indoor stadium Kampala on Sunday the >>> 7th day of October 2012 at 2: 30 p.m. Come and see and listen to >>> presentations from our own genius Joel Aita and Dennis Aliga vide Joader >>> Consult and DMA Capital who will present the master plan for Barifa. Guest >>> of Honour is the Hon. Dr. Eng. Gabriel Aridru Minister of State Finance >>> (Investment ) and M. P Arua Municipality. Get in touch with Mr. Anguzu >>> Rogers and Azabo Francis and register for the same with a fee of Ug. Shs >>> 20,000/- the earlier you register the better, we have limited place. Come >>> and be part of the revolution. >>> >>> in attendance is who is who from West Nile and friends of West Nile. >>> >>> Caleb Alaka >>> President West Nile Foundation >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> _______________________________________________ >>> WestNileNet mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet >>> >>> WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> WestNileNet mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet >>> >>> WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> WestNileNet mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet >>> >>> WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> -----Inline Attachment Follows----- >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> WestNileNet mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet >>> >>> WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> WestNileNet mailing list >>> [email protected] >>> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet >>> >>> WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> WestNileNet mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet >> >> WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >> >> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >> attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. >> _______________________________________________ >> >> > _______________________________________________ > WestNileNet mailing list > [email protected] > http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet > > WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. > _______________________________________________ > > > _______________________________________________ > WestNileNet mailing list > [email protected] > http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet > > WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. > _______________________________________________ > >
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