The Banga Community of Central Sakwa Ward in Bondo Sub-County, on Tuesday witnessed the fulfillment of President William Rutos’ promise of building an expansive resource center two years after the president visited the area.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony of the community resource center, Jaramogi
Oginga Odinga University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emily Akuno underscored that the facility if well utilised will transform the economic status of the local residents.
“Already there are proposal to open cybercafé at the facility by the locals. This if realized will boost e-commerce and open up the banga area which is a beach front for business with the rest of the world,” the VC asserted.
President Ruto gave Sh 2 million to be used for the construction of a resource center in
appreciation to the community which sacrificially donated over 70 acres of land for the construction of JOOUST ultramodern research hub to boost the Blue Economy research during his visit in January 2023.
The construction of the facility however delayed after different factions of the community disagreed on the site of construction and how the completed facility would be managed.
Despite several meetings and public participations led by the University that approved the designs, the Banga community felt that the facility being constructed on an individual’s parcel of land would deny them opportunity to benefit from what the president had donated.
Prof Akuno who took over from former VC Stephen Agong, who was at the helm during the president’s visit, expressed gratitude that the university together with the community were able to iron out the thorny issues paving way for the commencement of construction late last year.
She said that once handed over the university will not dictate to the community how to utilise the facility.
“The facility will solely be in the hands of the community and the university will have no say in what they do with it but it should boost trade at the beach,” said Akuno.
The don stated that the university topped-up the president’s donation to ensure the facility was fully furnished so as to offer maximum benefits to the local community.
“This is a sign of our commitment as institution of higher learning to partner with local communities to improve their livelihoods, ” Akuno underlined.
The locals led by Odida Buoga, a member of Luo Council of Elders expressed gratitude that the facility was finally completed and handed over to the community.
Mr Odida said the university played a key role in ensuring they get the facility that was promised by the president despite the numerous obstacles they handled.
