Yesterday, the government of Uganda and Japan held a signing ceremony for the improvement of roads in Gulu municipality. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development signed on behalf of Uganda. We reproduce his remarks below.
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STATEMENT BY HON. MATIA KASAIJA – MINISTER OF FINANCE, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON THE OCCASION OF SIGNING THE EXCHANGE OF NOTES FOR PROJECT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF GULU MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ROADS IN NORTHERN UGANDA BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN AND REPUBLIC OF UGANDA IN 7TH FLOOR BOARDROOM OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON FRIDAY 29TH APRIL 2016 AT 03.00 P.M.
His Excellency Mr. Junzo FUJITA
Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Uganda,
The JICA Chief Representative, Mr. Kyosuke Kawazumi
Hon. Minister of State for Works,
Permanent Secretaries Present,
The Press,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
- Your Excellency, I welcome you and your team to Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and to this Important occasion of the signing the Exchange of Notes for the project for Improvement of Gulu Municipal Council Roads in Northern Uganda.
- On my behalf and on behalf of the entire Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolence and sympathy to you and the People of Japan for the tragic loss of lives and extensive destruction of infrastructure as a result of the devastating earthquake that recently hit Kumamoto. We pray that Government of Japan finds appropriate solutions for the people and communities affected.
- Your Excellency, On behalf of the Republic of Uganda I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the beneficial and cordial bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Japan not only in the sector for which we are signing today but also in other sector like Energy, Health, agriculture, water and sanitation; and education.
- Your Excellency, this Grant worth Japanese Yen 2,163 Million (equivalent to US $20 Million) will contribute to smooth and safe traffic flow and improve the living environment for the residents through the improvement and rehabilitation of the main roads, drainage and traffic safety facilities in Gulu Municipality.
- With this grant the Government of Uganda will pave 373 km of Gulu Municipal roads including management of utilities along the streets. Lady and Gentlemen, Gulu Municipality’s location gives it a unique opportunity as the business hub for Northern Uganda and a strategic connection in Regional trade with South Sudan.
- I compel my colleagues from the Ministry of Works and Transport where this grant will be executed to ensure that all Government obligations before commencement of construction are fully met.
- I want to affirm, Your Excellency, that we shall fulfill our obligations under the Agreement. We shall ensure that the Grant is properly and exclusively utilised for the project and the purchases under the Grant are attained. We will furnish the Government of Japan with information and data concerning the progress of the implementation of the projects; through regular consultation with your Government during project implementation period.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.
