CHINESE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LOSES OVER 160M UGX EVERY MONTH IN BUNYORO FUEL THEFT

By our reporter

www.mknewslink.com

In Kikuube—

Chinese Railway Seventh Group, a company that was contracted by the government to construct Critical Oil Roads in Bunyoro is losing over 160 million shillings amounting to 45000 liters of fuel every month in fuel theft.

Company officials say, since works began early last year they have lost about 2 billion shillings in fuel siphoning especially by drivers and other people.

Government borrowed 430 billion shillings from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to finance the construction of Masindi-Biiso, Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi and Hohwa-Nyairongo-Kyarusesa-Butoole roads which totaled 97 kilometers.

These roads are located in the districts of Hoima, Kikuube, Buliisa and Masindi and work would last for three years.

In March 2019, the government signed a contract with China Railway Seventh Group to design and construct a 97km road connecting Masindi-Biso, Kabaale-Kiziranfumbi and Hohwa-Nyairongo-Kyarushesha-Butoole.

While presenting the matter to the Kikuube District Security Committee at their Construction Camp in Hohwa Kabwoya Sub-County Kikuube District, company officials said every month they allocate 300,000 liters of fuel to be used but 45000 of this is stolen.

They said each month they are registering a loss of 162 million shillings.

Ambrose Atwiine, the Company’s Public Relations Officer explained that this habit has affected their work in terms of time and cost.

Amlan Tumusiime the Resident District Commissioner Kikuube who is also the Chairperson of the District Security Committee said, they have already alerted police to arrest those that will be found siphoning fuel from the Company’s trucks so that they are taken to court.

 Tumusiime said that those who are doing it should stop because they are giving a bad image to the country and those who keep fighting for local content employment opportunities.

 Some of the employees, especially drivers, have said that there are miscalculations during and when they are fueling trucks, especially when they report back with a balance of fuel in the tank.