Coffee puts two Okapa roads in government’s priority list

NATIONAL Planning Minister Richard Maru, pictured, told Parliament that Okapa, in Eastern Highlands, is an important district for coffee and it will be given high roading priority.
Maru was responding to Okapa MP Saki Solomon’s query on roads in his district that needed funding, adding that they had been included in the plans for development of key economic roads to bring coffee to market.
“Recently I sent officers of the National Planning to your district and I have spoken to Coffee Industry Cooperation to give me the top 10 roads for coffee in the Highlands that need to be upgraded and maintained in order
to have the produce brought into the town,” Maru said.
“I’m happy to inform you that I have received the list from CIC which includes the two roads, which we are going to look at
how we fund from next year onwards.”
Maru said Okapa had vast economic potential in terms of high grade organic coffee, another commodity that will generate substantial internal revenue for the country.
“Consistent with the medium-term development plan three, the two impact roads of Gimi Lup and Oluguti Okapa Station are in good shape and can empower local people and small to medium-sized enterprises through social development.
Solomon asked that the two roads be included in the 2019 national budget under the Public Investment Programme.
Maru said Okapa was an important district for coffee and it would be given high priority in terms of key economic roads.