By MN Reporter

Awendo MP Walter Owino and Central Sakwa MCA Gershom Owi have supported area residents for demanding better share of quarry business in their area.

Angry residents and Chinese investors had a standoff during a demonstrations, which come week after a similar one in Masara area in Suna West.

Ombo Kware, Ruchi and Bita residents blocked roads leading to three firms quarrying in the area forcing armed police to stand guard and prevent looting of firm equipment.

“We are demanding the firms to give notice when they want to blast rocks, contain dust and maintain drainage of the area caused by disused pits,” Alfred Odira, a community spokesman said.

Owino demanded  homes destroyed by blasting by having cracked walls, farms destroyed by run off waters and water drinking points destroyed by oil to be compensated.

“The companies should always give notice to residents before blasting, stop during market days and when church services are on. They should also offer more employment of up to 70 per cent of the workforce to local,” Owino said.

Owii said attempts to have locals and Chinese investors reach an amicable solution failed.

“Rock from the area have been used in constructing all major roads in Nyanza region while we continue languishing in poverty we demand more for our people,” he said.

Paul Gwada, Awendo location chief said attempts to establish a meeting between locals and the firms failed which prompted the demonstrations.

“We had a meeting with Chinese investors and they agreed to dig a trench to control run off water, but they failed to do so which caused the demonstrations,” the administrator aid.

He said police had to maintain peace and avoid looting of firms by locals, but said “there is a plan to have another joint meeting between government officials, firms and community representatives.”