Kiryandongo stuck with multi-billion water project
He emphasizes the importance of sharing project designs with local leaders and involving them in monitoring exercises.
Kiryandongo: Kiryandongo District, together with the Ministry of Water and Environment, is stuck with a 13.7 billion shillings water project, which has stalled at 16.3% since its launch in September 2023.
Funded by the Ugandan government and supported by the World Bank through the Integrated Water Management and Development Project, the project faces delays due to the contractor’s abandonment of sites in three sub-counties: Mutunda, Kiryandongo, and Mboira.
Engineer Stanley Watenga from the Ministry of Water and Environment revealed that the contractor received an advance payment of 30% (equivalent to 4.12 billion shillings) in August 2023.
However, the completed work does not align with the funds disbursed, raising concerns about timely project completion.
The Ministry has sought guidance from the Solicitor General regarding the possibility of terminating the contract with Summit Projects Limited.
During discussions at the district headquarters, Jonathan Akweteireho, the Kiryandongo Deputy Resident District Commissioner, criticized the awarding of the multibillion-dollar project to Summit Projects Limited.
The company’s poor track record in project delivery, including legal disputes with UNRA, was highlighted. Additionally, there was no proper due diligence before awarding the contract.
Investigations by the office of the President revealed irregularities, leading to a recommendation for terminating the 13.7 billion shillings contract in Kiryandongo.
Accountability for the public funds advanced to the contractor is also emphasized.
David Manyuru, the Sub-County Chairman of Mutunda, has identified poor coordination between the Ministry of Water and Environment and other stakeholders, particularly local leaders, as a key challenge in implementing the multibillion-dollar water project.
According to Manyuru, local leaders face difficulties in effectively monitoring the project due to limited information and knowledge about the designs.
He emphasizes the importance of sharing project designs with local leaders and involving them in monitoring exercises.
Upon completion, the project will deliver three solar-powered piped water systems with 29.4 km for Mutunda, 17.92 km for Gaspa, and 14.11 km for Nyakabale as distribution networks. Each of the three rural growth centers will also have an intensification network of 12 km.
The project will also provide three water-borne toilets at the three rural growth centers and seven 5-stance VIP latrines at various schools in the district, as well as 110 public stand posts.
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