Jobs in the oil and gas sector has topped the agenda of an ongoing meeting of Acholi leaders in Gulu district.
More than 50 percent of commercially viable oil and gas sits in Acholi sub region which has a population of 1.4 million, according to 2014 national housing and population census.
The meeting convened by Archbishop John Baptist Odama and the Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot Onen David Acana 11 is being attended by religious, cultural and political leaders from the Acholi sub region.
Reagan Okumu, the Chairperson Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) told the meeting that because of high level of poverty and a lack of skills, youth in Acholi are unlikely to get jobs in the oi and gas sector.
Okumu explained that because parents are facing extreme poverty and cannot afford to take their children to good schools majorly in central Uganda, youth from Acholi cannot compete favourably with those who have excellent academically from other parts of Uganda.
The Aswa legislator said long gone are the days when schools such as Sir Samuel Baker competed with Buddo and Namilyango.
He also warned parents against relying on UPE saying it has no value.
Odonga-Otto says although the regions receives around 100 billion shillings in government funding annually and an additional 100 billion shillings from nongovernmental organizations in development aid, families are still living in poverty.
According to Odonga-Otto, around 40 billion shillings of the 200 billion shillings are injected in education of children from the sub region to schools majorly in the central region describing it as a capital flight.
The Prime Minister Ker Kwaro Acholi, Ambrose Ola who was also present at the meeting said despite the oil and gas sector creating around 80,000 jobs, Acholi will miss out on jobs in the sector. Ola attributed this to the fact that the youth in Acholi have not been mobilised to prepare for jobs in the oil sector. The premier cited farmers and welders in the Acholi sub region whose work he said is lacking in quality.
Tom Lalobo, an elder, urged the Acholi leaders to prioritize education to enable the young not to miss out on future opportunities.
Other issues discussed during the two- day meeting of Acholi leaders was the nodding syndrome, malaria, alcoholism, environmental degradation, cattle compensation and unity among Acholi leaders.
Besides the Oil and Gas committee that was set up less than two years ago, the leaders formed five additional five committees that will handle issues related to Land rights and access, alcoholism, environmental degradation.
Archbishop John Baptist Odama called on the leaders and unite the Acholi people for a common goal.
1 Comment
Since when did Acholi people start having muslim leaders? Soon we shall hear of “Sheik Okello” if we don’t have one already! Mother help us