WACSOF

MOFPED PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PSST @rggoobi has commended local governments for developing projects under the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) framework, saying the proposals are well-informed and have the potential to generate revenue for local governments. Dr. Ggoobi made the remarks during 43rd PPP Committee meeting where presentations on conceptualised local government PPP projects were presented. “I am impressed that local governments can come up with these projects. They look well informed and have potential to generate revenue for local governments,” Ggoobi said. He committed to ensure that @mofpedU secures funding for feasibility studies to assist in project development to bankability stage and final delivery. “These are good projects that fit into our overall tenfold growth strategy and the National Development Plan," said the PSST. The presentations covered proposed investments in education, waste management, markets, commercial facilities, sports infrastructure & staff accommodation among others. During the meeting, a Shs 50 billion student accommodation project by Muni University was presented. The project will provide 2,000 beds, comprising 1,000 spaces for male students and 1,000 for female students. The University has identified over 3.2 hectares of titled land for the project. Iganga Municipal Council presented a proposed Shs 12 billion waste processing plant to be established in Buluuza, Nakigo Subcounty. The facility will support waste collection, materials recovery, recycling, composting & re-manufacturing. Kyotera District Local Government presented a proposed project for redevelopment of the central market under a build-operate-transfer model. Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality presented a proposed Shs 1.8 billion project to construct 66 lock-up shops around Ishaka taxi park under a build-own-operate-transfer model. The projects are expected to mobilise private capital, create jobs, expand local services and establish long-term revenue streams for local governments. Ggoobi said feasibility studies and further project preparation will be critical in determining their viability; bankability and to inform sustainability. Beyond the 11 projects, the PPP Executive Director Jim Mugunga presented a report on highlights of ongoing efforts to strengthen the implementation of PPPs Mugunga pointed out that the presence of clear guidelines; increased awareness and support are starting to produce results. He said project preparation has been affected by inadequate funding for feasibility studies, limited resources under the Project Preparation Facility & rationalisation among others. To address these challenges,the Executive Direct PPP Unit proposed increasing resources for project preparation, ring-fencing priority projects for quick delivery of results & operationalising the Project Development Facilitation Fund among others.