Local Council One (LC1) and Local Council Two (LC2) chairpersons from 24 villages in Busia Municipality have resolved to first conduct mass sensitization of landlords before the resumption of the enforcement of trade order regulations.
The resolution was reached during a meeting held on Wednesday between local leaders and Busia Municipal authorities at the Municipal Council Hall.
The meeting aimed at informing local leaders about plans by authorities to resume the crackdown on trade order in two weeks. Among the resolutions agreed upon were that LC1 and LC2 chairpersons should first conduct mass sensitization campaigns, while the Municipal Council would mark illegal structures and give landlords sufficient time to vacate road reserves and service lanes before the demolition of unwanted structures.
Leaders also demanded that the Municipal authorities first open and rehabilitate roads where buildings had earlier been demolished during previous operations in Busia Town.
Faiso Kiberu, the Busia Municipal Engineer, said authorities intend to resume enforcement of trade order within two weeks and want local chairpersons to help sensitize landlords and residents.
He noted that several structures are still located within road reserves and service lanes, which the municipality intends to remove to restore order in the town. Mabachi Wabwire, the Marachi LC1 Chairperson, said the previous operation was poorly timed and negatively affected many residents, some of whom are still struggling to recover.
He noted that the area now experiences flash floods whenever it rains because some of the demolished structures had previously helped control the flow of water. Godfrey Barasa, the LC2 Chairperson for South West Parish, said many buildings developed cracks during the crackdown, accusing the municipal enforcement team of ignoring concerns raised by village leaders.
Barasa said consultations with local leaders should have been conducted before the earlier demolition exercise, rather than after the situation had worsened.
Bashir Wanyama, Secretary of the Works Committee in the municipality, said that during the next operation, authorities will move together with the municipality’s physical development plan and work alongside village chairpersons to identify affected structures.
He appealed to village leaders to cooperate with municipal authorities in efforts aimed at improving the appearance and orderliness of Busia Town. URN