By Editorial
The agricultural committee of parliament has expressed discontentment over the delayed construction of the eight billion Shilling valley dam in Nakonyen village, Tapac sub-county, Moroto district.
The 1.5 square kilometre valley dam is being constructed through the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the strategic plan to address water challenges for domestic use and animals, and improve the food value chain and commercial agriculture in Teso and Karamoja.
However, the members of parliament who visited the site to assess the progress of the project said they were left in shock when they found no contractor on the ground, and no technical person to explain the progress of the project.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Janet Okori Moe said parliament allocated funds to the Ministry of Agriculture to provide water for production facilities in the nine districts across the Karamoja sub-region but were surprised work is progressing at a slow pace yet the rainy season is approaching. Hon. Okori speaking……..
Hon. Albert Lokoru, the area Member of Parliament faulted the Ministry of Agriculture for not involving the district authorities, local leadership and legislators from the area about the project possibly as their means to frustrated monitoring by the beneficiaries. Hon. Lokoru speaking……
Davis Kamukama, a member of the committee observed that the contractor is taking advantage of the absence of close supervision from the government to work at his own pace.
The Moroto Resident District Commissioner, Mr. George William Wopuwa however said that although there were some wrangles about the land ownership, they have agreed with the community to allow the works go ahead and settle the matter later. END