Drainage Channel Construction at Pece Stream Stalls.

GULU CITY – The construction of 1.5 kilometers drainage channel at Pece Stream in Gulu City has stalled as donor gives an ultimatum to the construction company.

This project funded by Fichtner, a German international organization at the cost of Shs 600 million was meant to widen the stream to avert the outburst of water and floods in the city.

However, a 2017 report by the Ministry of Water and Environment mapped Gulu City among the areas in Northern Uganda that are potentially prone to floods.

Following the development, the former Gulu Municipal Council then recommended widening the water banks at Pece Stream and secured the funding from Fichtner two years ago.

Destiny Construction, a local construction company was awarded a 6 months contract to implement the project since November last year. The timeline for completion of the work has since elapsed by two months.

It is now 8 months since the construction site was commissioned and handed over to the contractor but they have failed to initiate the project.

Towler Robert, the team leader at Fichtner disclosed in a recent interview with Uganda Radio Network that an ultimatum of two weeks was issued to the construction company to complete its work.

Despite the ultimatum, the company has failed to explain the delay in getting the work completed.

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He further explained that the company has breached its contractual obligation to the project and that Fichtner, has no choice but to terminate the contract or withdraw support from the Gulu City.

In his response, Okwonga Alfred, Gulu City Council Mayor noted that Council has received complaints from the donor over the slow progress of work on the stream.

He revealed that a recent meeting by the Executive Committee of Council (ECC) has recommended that another construction company be contracted to complete the project.

“This is a project we can’t lose and we have asked the donor to review the contract before another company takes over the project” Okwonga disclosed.

When contacted, Gudoi Kenneth, the contractor said the project was wrongly designed even before the project commenced.

According to the physical planning of the project, the location which is below Unifat Primary School and next to former Bardege Division offices is a gazzeted ecological wetland park for a recreational Centre to be constructed along the belt and other public offices.

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Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO Fights Over Emyooga Cash

NEBBI – Fights ensued amongst Nebbi boda-boda riders under their association, Nebbi Municipality Boda-Boda SACCO Limited, over illegal withdrawal of Emyooga cash by the executive members.

Emyooga is one of the government’s initiative that was launched by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in August 2019 as part of its strategy to economically transform 68% of Ugandan homesteads from subsistence farming to market-oriented production to eradicate poverty.

According to the government, 18 enterprise categories were identified as having not adequately benefited from the previous wealth creation initiatives, and this included: Journalists, Boda-Boda, women entrepreneurs, carpenters, salon operators, and taxi operators, restaurant owners and welders.

Others are market vendors, youth leaders, Persons with Disabilities [PWDs], produce dealers, mechanics, tailors, performing artistes, army veterans and fishermen but, the money has brought in a lot of chaos among Nebbi Boda-Boda riders because they don’t trust their executive members .

The members revealed that, their executive members illegally withdrew Shs 20 million from the SACCO account and purchased three numberless Bajaj motorcycles from DR-Congo using the Emyooga cash which later sparked off a misunderstanding amongst the members.

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According to Parakoch Francis, a member of Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO Limited; June 10th, 2021, the executive members of the association allegedly used their powers to withdraw Shs 20 million out of the Shs 30 million that was disbursed on the SACCO Centenary Bank account.

“The members were not consulted on the purchase of the motorcycles that’s why there is misunderstanding amongst the Boda-Boda riders,” Parakoch said.

Jakony Cosmas, another group member says three numberless motorcycles were purchased by the executive members at a cost of Shs 3.5 million each totaling to Shs 10.5 million without the consent of the members.

Onegiu Peter, the Chairman Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO admits that, the idea to purchase three Bajaj motorcycles from DR-Congo was to minimize the cost, since in Uganda the numbered motorcycles Bajaj, are sold at Shs 5 million while in DR-Congo it goes for Shs 3.5 million.

He adds that they bought motorcycles to raise weekly money for the SACCO, which will be deposited on the Boda-Boda account.

However, Onyango Okol Emma, the Nebbi Deputy Resident District Commissioner said it’s a good business idea to buy motorcycles for the Boda-Boda Savings and Credit Cooperative [SACCO], but it was wrong that members were not consulted and called for audit queries of the Commercial Officer who allowed the money to be withdrawn without the guideline of Emyooga.

“We are investigating the motive of Nebbi Municipality Commercial Officer who allowed only the eight executive members of Nebbi Boda-Boda SACCO to withdraw the money and they don’t have their savings,” Onyango said.

Wakwayo Felix, the Commercial Officer Nebbi Municipality, advised members of the Boda-Boda SACCO to use the cooperative and Emyooga principles to help manage their SACCO.

He revealed that so far, four SACCO groups have accessed their money while others are in the pipeline pending verification from Micro Finance Support Centre (MFSC).

“The municipal has 18 SACCOs approved and ready to receive the funds but at the moment only four SACCOs have received their money and using the money,” Wakwayo said.

He further called for good team spirit amongst group members to manage the SACCO.

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