Six secondary schools in Teso South Constituency, Busia County, are set to receive school buses bought under  the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF)  programme in the current Financial Year, area Member of Parliament (MP), Mary Emase, has revealed.

Speaking during the issuance of a bus to Father Okodoi Senior School and the commissioning of two classrooms at St Bridgit School in Teso South, Emase said the buses would improve students’ access to academic trips and other co-curricular activities.

“This is the first bus. Next month we are delivering one to Apokor Secondary School, then St Charles Lwanga, Kwangamor Secondary, among others. We are delivering a total of six buses to six schools this Financial Year, so that our students and the community can benefit,” she said.

Emase said the initiative would provide reliable transport for students attending academic trips and participating in curriculum activities, while also benefiting the wider community.

She also said the National government had allocated Sh181 million to complete construction works at Amukura College, to facilitate its operationalisation.

“The President gave Sh181 million to finish the construction of the Institution so that it can be operationalised. The Affordable Hostels are also ongoing at the college. There is also an ongoing agriculture college at Omoloi in Chakol South Ward,” she said.

On health, Emase said expansion works at Lukolis Health Centre were ongoing to improve service delivery to residents.

She said Sh10 million had been allocated through the National government, which enabled the completion of a women’s ward, with another Sh10 million expected to facilitate construction of a men’s’ ward.

“The President gave Sh10 million to the Ministry and the construction of the women’s ward has already been completed. We are waiting for another Sh10 million for the construction of the men’s ward, so that the Hospital can serve all people,” she said.

The MP further urged the Busia County Government, to strengthen its preparedness to respond to disasters associated with El-Niño rains, including ensuring emergency resources are available when needed.

“They should ensure that if a case is reported, they have the capability to handle the situation. I also request funds for emergencies from the National Government to be released on time. When we make calls about the suffering of our people from Odiria in Teso South, the funds should be given out quickly,” she said.

She added that food had already been distributed to residents affected by the ongoing rains.

Father Okodoi Senior School Principal, Stanly Wachudi, said the Institution, which has about 800 learners, had for a long time faced challenges in providing transport for students, teachers and members of the community.

“We have had a challenge in movement for the learners, teachers and community. Hiring a bus for our students to attend several activities has been very expensive for the school, and that is why we made a request to NG-CDF through our MP. Today, we have received the bus,” he said.

Wachudi said the bus would ease the financial burden on the school and improve students’ participation in academic and co-curricular activities.

“This is a big relief to us and the community at large because the bus will not serve only the School, but also the community,” he said.

by Salome Alwanda / Rodgers Omondi