The Ministry of Lands ,Housing and Urban Development has dismissed as false press statements attributed to State Minister for Economic Monitoring, Hon Peter Ogwang, alleging that 118.1kms of gravel roads rehabilitated under a World Bank funded successful project were “shoddy” and “inflated the road length”.
In a detailed explanation released to the media and signed by Richard Jjuko the Under Secretary on behalf of the Permanent Secretary , the Ministry of land clarified that it is not true that the road kms length was inflated from 117.64 km to 118.1km as alleged . ” Once the 8 roads were finally designed , it was established that the final kilometers for all the 8 gravel roads was 117.64 and that is what was rehabilitated and paid for ,: the Proeject Communications Specialist Ms. Sheila Naturinda clarified when contacted .
“During construction, road kilometre measurement for clarity and correctness is done by use of “a walking tape” as opposed to using a car odometer as Minister Ogwang was quoted to have said. The project road works were based on an admeasurement contract; this means that only measured works were paid. This can be verified from the contract documents and all the Interim Payment Certificates in the Ministry Offices,” the statement reads in part .
Ministry of Lands officials further clarified that well as the project contracted M/S Abubaker Technical Services and General Supplies Ltd to rehabilitate 118.1km of gravel roads in Hoima, upon completion, the final road length rehabilitated was 117.64km and this was due to wrong measurements by the District Local Government presented to the Project for rehabilitation .
“ All this information is contained in the completion reports submitted to government and the World Bank. All the contracted works were completed and the contract is still undergoing the Defects Liability Period (DLP) until September 30, 2021. Under the DLP, all identified technical defects are handled and reworked, so that by the time the period ends, a proper job has been done and this is what is going on at the moment,” the statement added .
While giving a back ground on how the project works are executed at a technical level, the Ministry of Lands officials explained that -the World Bank funding through the Albertine Region Sustainable Development project (ARSDP) – has three components the first being implemented by UNRA, the second by Ministry of Lands and the thirds by Ministry of education and sports. The second component’s objective under Ministry of Lands which include “Local Access and Planning.”
The Ministry says that preparation of Physical Development Plans (PDPs) for 9 growth centres of: Wanseko & Biiso in Buliisa District; Kigorobya and Butema in Hoima District, Kabwoya, Kyaruseisa, Kyangwali, Kiziranfumbi and Buhuka in Kikuube District was done and approved by the respective Local Councils and ratified by the National Physical Planning Board. It is these PDPs that the Local Governments are using to plan & ensure an orderly development in their respective areas.
The Ministry then had the Engineering Designs, ESIAs and Tender Documentation for a number of infrastructure developed that included ,359.6 km of gravel roads (147.0 km in Hoima, 106.3 km in Buliisa, and 80.3 km in Kikuube District).
However, two roads (Wanseko-Ngwedo-21.3 km in Buliisa and Hohwa – Kyaruseisa – Butoole-26km in Hoima) were later absorbed by UNRA for upgrade to tarmac under Critical oil roads project leaving a balance of 312km for implementation under Albertine Regional |sustainable Development Project (ARSDP) component two.
At least , 11.63 km of roads for upgrade to Tarmac were designed including 9.63 km Buliisa TC and 2.0 km in Butiaba TC; 13 local markets including Wanseko, Buliisa Centra, Ngwedo, Bugoigo, Walukuba, Kalolo, Karakaba and Butiaba in Buliisa District; Kigorobya & Kabale in Hoima District and Kyangwali, Buhuka in Kikube District.
Also two fish landing sites at Runga (Hoima District) and Buhuka in Kikuube District, and 25 fish cages were designed.
The official statement indicate that the ministry of lands has been and is still committed to effective and transparent service delivery to the population in line with the NRM Manifesto and the development agenda supported by the government and donors.
“ The implementation of the ARSDP has been undertaken with holistic involvement of the Local Governments (Districts & Sub-Counties) and the beneficiary communities who have been engaged in monitoring and supervision of the civil works.
For more information contact the PS office Ministry of lands
