DRC Nationals Given Priority For Jobs In Uganda Funded Road Construction Projects

The Uganda-DRC road construction project has begun with surveying.

Priority for employment opportunities in the joint road construction project between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been given to DRC nationals.

The two countries are constructing three major routes in DRC. These consist of the 80-kilometre Kasindi section at the border to Beni, the 54-kilometre integration of the Beni-Butembo stretch, and the Bunagana to Rutsuru-Goma Road which measures 89 kilometres. The construction work is expected to provide an average of between 200 to 300 jobs.

Anathula Nagendra, the project coordinator from DOTT Services Ltd says that the company has opted to give the first priority to the local community in DRC, and fewer Ugandans, especially from the neighbouring Kasese District.

However, Nagendra, says that the company has opted to outsource the technical teams from Uganda because they could not find experienced persons in DRC. He also noted the challenge of a language barrier between the technical team and the casual labourers from DRC but adds that they have thought of acquiring translators.

Sai Narendra and Neeli Manipaj, the project engineers told URN while in Kasindi that they are also extending Corporate Social Responsibility to the local communities including the construction of boreholes. Narendra noted that in the next one week, actual road construction works will commence.

Christopher Mutamba, another DRC national asks DOTT Services Ltd to advertise the available job opportunities so that people like him can be in the know. Tom Muhindo, a mukonzo born from Kasindi in DRC welcomes the road project reasoning that it will facilitate trade. However, he asks the governments to conclusively deal with rebel activities in Eastern DRC.

-URN