SUPPORTING churches remain one of the key priorities of Sohe District Development Authority (SDDA), says local MP Hon Henry Jons Amuli.
Mr Amuli who is the Minister for Commerce and Industry said these during the opening of refurbished Saint Barnabas Anglican Church at Sasembata Station in Sohe recently.
The church which was built in the 1970s was refurbished after more than 50 years at the cost of K50,000 through funding from the Sohe DDA.
Minister Amuli said churches play an important role in the spiritual and social welfare of the communities through ensuring peace, order and unity.
“Because of the important role they play, our DDA has given priority to the work of churches by allocating 10 per cent of our District Service Improvement Programme funds to support churches and their programs.
“We have been doing these during my term in the last five years and this will continue because God is the source of our lives and the many blessings we enjoy.
“We must honour and give back what belongs to God by way of supporting the work of churches,” Minister Amuli said.
He said the DDA has supported different denominations in the district with a total funding of K450,000 this year.
Minister Amuli said what the DDA did was not giving out cash to churches but instead pay to hardware companies and the churches collected building materials they need for the refurbishment works.
“This is the arrangement and it is pleasing to see the support we gave bearing good results for the church and the community.”
The church serves a community of more than 6,000 people at Sasembata station in the Higaturu Local Level Government area of Sohe.
Bishop Linchie Ihove thanked Minister Amuli and commended him for his foresight and leadership in supporting the work of churches.
“Church and government working in partnership is very important as both institutions have a common goal and that is to serve the people,” Bishop Ihove said.
Minister Amuli said they were not only supporting churches in Sohe District alone but also in the Ijivi-Tari electorate.
