30/10/2007

AN ASPIRANT DECRIES POVERTY AND POR ROARD NETWORK IN THE SUGAR BELT

BY Leo Odera Omolo

MUHORONI parliamentary aspirant Tom Oketch has decried the poor road networks within the sugar belt in the region and abject poverty hitting the community despite cash crop farming.

Speaking to press on phone after launchin his vision for the seat, Oketch said the status of the roads were appalling and pathetic leading to losses of substatial amount of money by sugar cane farmers due to high and unreliable means of transport.

“I am concerned that the road network in the region is in a sorry state and our farmers are continuing to spend a lot of money in transporting their cane to the factories,” he said.

He said transportation cost had shot up and mature cane continues to grow into waste as accessibility to the farms remains a nightmare.

He noted that despite the constituency receiving cess from three sugar factories, Chemelil, Muhoroni and Miwani, to the local authorities nothing could be shown for the collections.

"It beats no logic why the cess being taxed from our farmers is not being re-routed to help in developing our road network.This money is being siphoned by corrupt elements in the councils" he said.

If elected, Oketch a quantity surveyor, would ensure that the taxation was channeled back to the constituency to assist in upgrading of the feeder roads within the sugar belt.

Oketch who is contesting on an ODM party ticket said that the three factories were obsolete machines that needed overhaul to improve their efficiencies and capacities to crush the sugar cane overwhelming them to boost farmers morale and empower the region economically.

The factories are all currently facing serious challenges including huge debts that needed to be tackled urgently to ensure they remain viable to the farmers.

“Our factories needs to be expanded and the infrastructure improved. Lack of consistent and supportive government policy towards the sugar cane farmers is also lacking,” he said.

He said, Muhoroni sugar industries required new leadership that will encourage diversification in sugar production to make the by-products the main products in plce of the usual sugar.

He noted that the by-products like bagasse, ethanol, tableware, fuel briquettes and molasses will increase income for the sugar factories as well as create new employment opportunities and economic empowerment of the locals.

He however appealed for farmers' incentives besides paying for the cane delivered as the factories extract and sell the by products.

“Farmers are being paid poorly for the produce but the factories extract by-products from the same cane and sell exorbitantly thereby generating more money,” he said.

He said he will also establish a five year strategic development plan and strategic investment plan for effective management of devolved funds.

ENDS

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com