LODWAR, May 30, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Assistant Director General for Jobs and Social Protection Mia Seppo made a courtesy call to the Deputy Governor’s Office in Lodwar, Kenya, on May 30, 2024. During her visit, she discussed the continued partnership with the county government and later commissioned the newly completed Lodwar Fresh Produce Market.
Seppo’s visit was part of the PROSPECTS program, a collaboration between the ILO, UNICEF, UNHCR, World Bank, and IFC. The program focuses on the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus under three pillars: education, employment, and protection.
The partnership between the ILO and the County Government of Turkana has been instrumental in the market’s development. The ILO’s employment-intensive investment program, which focuses on employment creation, was used to pave the market using cobblestone technology.
During the courtesy call, Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus requested ILO support in wealth creation programs to sustain efforts in revitalizing education and trade. He also sought support for pasture resilience interventions in Turkana South and Turkana East subcounties, livestock, and inter-county development interventions.
The Deputy Governor emphasized the need for support in local content frameworks and TVETs as engines of wealth creation, digital jobs, and value chains. He assured partners of the county administration’s commitment to providing a safe space for collaboration.
Seppo expressed gratitude for Governor Lomorukai’s leadership and support of the PROSPECTS program. She highlighted the need for a strengthened partnership and proposed regular follow-up meetings to ensure ongoing communication and collaboration, addressing any emerging issues.
Ms. Caroline Khamati, Director of the ILO Country Office, highlighted the significance of market sanitation and cleanliness. She pointed out that despite Turkana’s rich resources, there is a lack of skills, which is why the ILO supported youth training in cobblestone technology.
The area MCA, Ruth Kuya, raised concerns about revenue collection at the fresh produce market and called for an investigation. She also requested support from the ILO for a lorry to facilitate easier transportation for the market.
The Deputy County Commissioner noted that the market would allow people to do business under the shade, urging members to conduct business in a friendly environment.
The CECM for Trade, David Erukudi, highlighted the challenge of having 176 stalls against 600 registered members at the Lodwar Fresh Produce Market. He mentioned ongoing training for cooperative board members and the plan to support benchmarking visits to other fresh produce markets in the country.
The CECM for Education, Sports, and Social Protection, Elizabeth Loote, appreciated ILO support for training the youth in cobblestone technology and acknowledged the efforts of the Lodwar Vocational Training Institute. She called for further support for other TVETs in the county.
Seppo appreciated everyone who contributed to the joint effort of establishing the fresh produce market in Lodwar. She reiterated ILO’s commitment to promoting labor rights and democracy in workplaces and markets. She also emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue for market improvement and acknowledged ILO’s support in TVET training for skills and job opportunities.
