The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Wakiso, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Twenty-five geo-scientists from eleven African countries have been trained in geo-scientific survey techniques and mapping in order to strengthen their countries’ capacity to locate and exploit mineral wealth.
The four-week training was conducted in Entebbe and Kabale, with the Uganda Geological Survey Department and experts from Czek Republic facilitating. The conference is part of a European funded effort to help Africa generate own knowledge and skill to exploit her own resources.
Part of a wider four year programme, the training also sought to connect experts in the field to share experiences and network in order to broaden their career opportunities. Competitively chosen young and middle career practitioners came from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Zambia, Angola, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique and Egypt.
Out-going Minister of state for mineral development Peter Lokeris (transferred to the Karamoja docket in last week’s reshuffle) officiated at the closing of the training today at Lake Victoria Hotel, urging participants to commit to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and research to catalyse Africa’s growth and development.Developing geo-scientific skills and knowledge, Lokeris said, would help unlock Africa her mineral potential.
Energy Permanent Secretary Engineer Irene Batebe said the training could not have come at a better time when Africa was experiencing a “mad rush” from domestic and foreign investors prospecting for minerals and energy. “There’s need to develop manpower that will develop these resources.” Eng Batebe said. “Our generation cannot continue to watch as our resources are taken away. We must learn to add value to our resources to get better returns.”
Her comment resonates with the presidential directive that put a moratorium on all export of Uganda minerals in raw form, demanding that investors first process the minerals and or turn turn them into products before export.
Eng Batebe said boasting of Africa’s mineral potential was not enough, and called for capacity to unlock that potential into “bookable and bankable” projects that can attract investment and credit.
She urged the trainees -young and middle level practitioners- not to be only academic but put the acquired skills to use.
She also called on the trainees to continue networking and sharing experiences to continue learning. She called for formation of a singular African geo-science portal where knowledge and expertise can be located in one stop centre.
The Acting Commissioner for geological surveys Dr Fred Tugume said Uganda had on peace parameters beaten Sudan and Eritrea to host the training, for which he commended the Government and President of Uganda.
Dr Veronica Sierra from the Czek Republic, one of the facilitators of the training said the training was important to help the respective participants’ countries stock their own knowledge of what they have, otherwise that wealth remains of no use.
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