County, sugar firm ink deal to repair, maintain roads

Migori Governor Okoth Obado and Sony Sugar MD Jane Pamela Odhiambo on August 23, 2016 after signing a deal to repair and maintain county roads in the governor's office. PHOTO | ELISHA OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Governor Okoth Obado and the firm’s managing director Jane Pamela Odhiambo on Tuesday signed an agreement that will see the improvement of the 25-kilometre road within the sugar belt.
  • Farmers had a sigh of relief after the Migori county based miller announced that it will start paying their 30,000 contracted farmers Sh3,570 per ton, up from Sh3,200.

The Migori County Government will partner with Sony Sugar company to improve murram roads in the region at a cost of Sh18 million.

Governor Okoth Obado and the firm’s managing director Jane Pamela Odhiambo on Tuesday signed an agreement that will see the improvement of the 25-kilometre road within the sugar belt.

The move is expected to ease transportation of cane from the farms to the factory,” explained Governor Obado.

In the deal, Sony will contribute Sh11 million towards the project while the county administration will give Sh7 million.

The county Government will also provide machinery for the maintenance of the earmarked roads.

Ms Odhiambo said transportation of cane had become expensive due to the poor state of roads.

“Tractors are breaking down quite often, and requiring more money for servicing. Upgrading the roads will ease the burden on the farmers,” she argued.

Mr Obado said quick economic growth could only be realized in the region, if the roads were improved.

Last week, the miller reviewed its price of cane, to the delight of farmers.

Farmers had a sigh of relief after the Migori county based miller announced that it will start paying their 30,000 contracted farmers Sh3,570 per ton, up from Sh3,200.

The Sony Sugar board chairman Ambrose Otieno Weda said they had also scrapped the Sh1, 000 penalty on burnt cane.

“Once we clear the over-mature cane by the end of next month, we will be fully back on track. To God, be the glory,” he said on his Facebook page.

The farmers have been agitating for price increase due to high cost of farm inputs.