The Monitor (Kampala)
Richard Otim
4 November 2009
Soroti — A Shs5 billion fruit processing project in Soroti District is hanging in balance after the Finance Ministry failed to get an investment partner to implement the enterprise.
The project meant to provide farmers in Teso with an alternative to value-addition for locally grown oranges, has since stalled and the fate of the fast-growing fruit cultivation in the sub region is uncertain.
"It is not known when construction of the plant will take off despite the availability of the Shs5 billion that is lying idle in the (Finance) ministry," Mr Jorem Opian, the Teso Fruit Growers' Association chairperson, told Daily Monitor in interview.
He said stringent conditions, apparently prohibitive to the progress of the fruit processing project, have been set by the Finance Ministry thus rendering the money idle.
The delay in the construction of the factory is however taking a political twist with some locals blaming it on deliberate political sabotage to impoverish farmers.
"Farmers are required to identify a partner who will provide the expertise in fruit processing. This is frustrating us," Mr Opian said, adding: "Nobody is telling us the truth of what will be done."
The district Naads coordinator, Mr Charles Aben, confirmed that Shs5 billion had been secured by government for the purchase and installation of a fruit processing plant but declined to give any further comment on the matter.
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