MP roots for public participation on proposed multi-billion Industrial Park

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong (right), human activist Okiya Omtatah (far left) and regional chairman of Chinese Investors William Zhou (second from right) when they visited Nasewa Nucleaus Estate on July 23, 2019. [Ignatius Odanga/Standard]

The county has been petitioned to involve locals on the proposed construction of the multi-billion agricultural industrial park on the 843-acre land the court reverted to the State last year.

Nasewa Nucleaus Estate located in Matayos Constituency was acquired by the Government from Nasewa residents in the 1990s, and given to Busia Sugar Company (BSC) for construction of a sugar factory.

However, the factory was never set up but existed only on paper. It was later placed under receivership with Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) claiming the estate on grounds that the firm owed it Sh100 million.

Mumias later put up the land for sale to a private company, Kaplony Enterprise Ltd.

The decision prompted human rights activist Okiya Omtatah to sue Mumias and Busia sugar companies in 2012.

Other respondents in the case were former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Wetang’ula, Adan and Makokha Advocates, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Authority.

Part of Mr Omtatah’s prayers were for the court to declare any alienation, transfer of encumbrance of Nasewa Nucleus Estate to Busia Sugar Company, Mumias Sugar Company or Kaplony Ltd null and void since everything was done illegally.

The activist also wanted the court to declare that Nasewa Estate was not private property.

On 31st July 2018, Environment and Land Court judge the late Samuel Mukunya ordered the land be reverted back to the Government for the purpose of establishing a sugar factory that would economically benefit Busia sugar farmers.

The judge noted that it is was evident that BSC was a private limited company with shares being issued to the Government of Kenya, MH Da Gama Rose - the representative of Booker Tate in Kenya - and Reliant Holdings Ltd.

Justice Mukunya concluded that it was wrong for the land, which was donated by locals, to be allocated to private companies for their own use.

“It is, therefore, my view that the suit land should revert to the acquiring Government ministry so as to achieve the initial objective of acquisition to build a sugar factory for public benefit and to protect the public interests,” reads part of the judgement.

Last week, a consortium of Chinese Investors met Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and his deputy Moses Mulomi.

The discussion centered on establishment of a modern agricultural industrial park to commercialize the farming, processing of cassava and other crops in larger Western region and Eastern part of Uganda which the governor agreed.

Ojaamong said the park will be co-owned by ministries of finance and agriculture and his administration.

“Establishment of the Industrial Park will be in line with two of the Big Four Agendas manufacturing and food security besides creating many employment opportunities for our people,” the governor said.

Matayos MP expressed some reservations about the proposed park. Speaking at St Joseph Busia Girls Primary yesterday the MP noted the project was good but insisted that locals must be involved in the entire process.

 “The land in Nasewa belongs to public; they should therefore be told how they are going to benefit from the project. We also want to be assured that the whole process will be devoid of corruption,” the MP said.

He continued,” This is not the first time we are seeing Chinese investors coming into the county that they want to put up investment projects, so this time round proper due diligence must be followed.”

Regional chairman of Chinese investors William Zhou disclosed that they were ready to spend Sh30b in the first phase and Sh200b in the second phase of Industrial Park construction.

“341 acres of land will be sufficient for the project and works will begin after getting the approvals from various government ministries,” said Zhou.

The industrial park will comprise of nucleus and out grower cassava production farms, factories to produce dry cassava, organic fertilizer, animal feeds, ethanol, and paper pulp.

At least 250,000 acres will be needed in Kakamega, Bungoma and Busia counties and Eastern Uganda for cassava plantation.