Lira WMP Auma launches construction of sh800m Oilseeds road

Lira |The local government of Lira district has begun road construction as part of the National Oilseeds Project (NOSP), which aims to improve market access and promote oilseed production and related businesses.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is the main funder of NOSP including the construction of the road which is valued at sh800 million.

Linda Agnes Auma, a woman Member of Parliament from Lira district, launched the road work in Ogur sub-county on Friday.

JB Construction Company Ltd, a firm based in Lira, has been contracted to undertake the construction, which will cover a distance of 13.35 kilometers (Apoka-Alwala-Amara-Angolocom) in the project’s initial phase.

On Saturday, Lira district vice chairperson Bonny Omara told tndNews that the road connecting Omoro district to the area has been designated under the National Oilseeds Project in this phase, with another road planned in Agali sub-county within the same framework.

He stated that the road had been damaged as a result of heavy trucks traversing the area in search of soybeans and sunflower grains, the most common crops grown in the sun region.

Omara expressed confidence that the road’s improvement will improve the area’s status by giving communities better access to markets for their produce and health facilities like the Ogur Health Centre.

Under this project, the government aims to promote the cultivation of Oilseeds, including sunflower, soybeans, sesame, and groundnuts.

However, in Lira district, the focus will primarily be on sunflowers and soybeans, as these are the most widely grown crops across Lango.

Lango has emerged as a leading producer of sunflower, sesame, soybean, and groundnuts, owing to its fertile soil and favorable climate.

These crops, particularly sunflower and soybeans, have replaced cotton, which fell decades ago due to price volatility.

MP Auma praised the government for the roads, claiming that they will boost trade and communication in the area. She also thanked the communities of Ogur and Agweng sub-counties for their patience and understanding despite the road conditions’ negative impact on their businesses.

Geoffrey Okello, a farmer from Golilwite village, reported that heavy rainfall had caused significant gullies on the roads, making them impassable.

He stated that this situation has harmed the market for their agricultural products, caused delays in accessing health facilities, and contributed to a deficient road network.

“We are situated at the border of Otuke and Lira. The road conditions have been poor, particularly since this route is no longer navigable,” he stated.

He further mentioned that due to these challenges, many farmers are compelled to sell their produce at lower farm gate prices, as potential buyers are unable to access the area.

Michael Odongo, the LC3 chairperson of Ogur sub-county, indicated that the road was last repaired in 2017, and its condition has since worsened.

He expressed gratitude to the government for the initial project, noting that the deteriorating road conditions have significantly affected transportation networks and the movement of goods to Lira City.