KIRYANDONGO DISTRICT STUCK WITH 13.7B WATER PROJECT

By Andama Moses.

MASINDI

Kiryandongo District together with the Ministry of Water and Environment are stuck with a 13.7 billion water project which has stalled at 16.3% since its launch in September 2023. The water project which is funded by government of Uganda with support from world bank under the Integrated Water Management and Development Project has stalled following the contractor’s abandonment of sites in 3 sub counties of Mutunda, Kiryandongo and Mboira.

According to Engineer Stanley Watenga from Ministry of Water and Environment, the contractor was advanced 30% of the contract sum amounting to 4.12 billion shillings in August 2023. Watenga noted that the works done are not commensurate to the funds advanced and the time spent which puts the project at a risk of delayed completion. Watenga added that the Ministry has written to the Solicitor General to seek his guidance on the possibility of terminating the contract with Summit Projects Limited.

While addressing the stakeholders who convened at the District headquarters to forge a way forward for the 13.7 billion project, Jonathan Akweteireho the Deputy RDC denounced the manner in which Summit Projects Limited was awarded the multi billion project in Kiryandongo yet the company had a poor record of delivering works citing a case in which it ended in courts of law with UNRA. He added that there was no due diligence done before Summit Projects Limited was awarded the contract.

Akweteireho also informed the stakeholders that the office of the President had carried out investigations on the contractor and discovered a lot of irregularities thereby recommending for the termination of the 13.7 billion contract in Kiryandongo. He asserted that besides terminating the contract, the contractor must be held accountable for public funds advanced to him.