Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma has urged local political and religious leaders to unite with a view to ensuring faster development in the county.
Speaking during a Sunday Service at Angorom Catholic Church, Otuoma said Busia was faced with numerous challenges and high poverty levels at over 70 percent, adding that most of the residents were undergoing hard times.
He also noted that education standards in the county had also dropped, disclosing that the County recorded only 6As during last year’s KCSE exam.
“Equally, we have challenges of food security, dwindling economy and poorly equipped health facilities,” he said, adding that all leaders should unite and address all pertinent issues bedeviling service delivery to the people.
At the same time, the Governor challenged religious groups to engage in income generating activities alongside their quest for spiritual nourishment.
Otuoma further urged farmers to embrace modern farming methods and make use of the subsidized fertilizer being provided by the National government.
“We are going to employ more extension officers to guide farmers on the best agricultural practices so that they can improve their yields,” he said.
On his part, chairman of Busia County Public Service Board, Michael Onyura urged residents to be wary of conmen out to take advantage of them, while seeking employment in the devolved government.
Onyura noted that there are a number of crafty individuals who act as brokers for jobs advertised by the County Government.
“Such unscrupulous people try to solicit for money from potential applicants by misusing names of County Government employees,” he said, explaining that recruitment for advertised posts is purely done on merit.
He added that among issues considered during recruitment exercises include gender and regional balance.
By Salome Alwanda
