Ottichilo defends granite factory work
By Enock Amukhale, October 31, 2024
Vihiga County governor Wilber Ottichilo has defended setting up of a granite factory in the county, warning residents against mixing dirty politics with development.
Ottichilo noted that there are people in the county who are out to derail his development agenda.
He pointed an accusing finger at a section of residents against the setting up of the factory in the area.
Ottichilo while addressing residents at Emusire School grounds dismissed such people as anti-development.
He charged that some residents had written to his office and the Ministry of Mining to protest about the planned establishment of the granite factory at Ebuyangu in Emuhaya sub-county.
“I am disappointed that there are a few people here in Vihiga County who are fighting my efforts to look for investors to invest in our county. Such anti-development people have written to my office and the Ministry of Mining protesting the establishment of a granite factory in Emuhaya,” he stated.
He maintained that the factory would create job opportunities for locals.
A section of residents had opposed the establishment of the factory in the area citing environmental concerns.
The residents maintain that they were not consulted over the establishment of the factory.
They revealed that some outsiders were imported during public participation to approve the setting up of the factory.
“We don’t want the granite factory here at Ebuyangu. We were not fully consulted through public participation. The factory will expose us to a lot of health hazards,” protested the locals.