Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama has launched a probe into allegations that some ministry officials connived with the contractor to alter the design of the 47km Biiso-Masindi oil road, passing it through a huge rock and destroying a water pumping system serving more than 30 villages.
Byamukama, who started his inspection of Bunyoro oil roads on September 17, was moved to order an investigation after residents and leaders accused the contractor, China Railway Seventh Group Ltd, of destroying their only source of clean water.
“As the government we shall investigate that matter and should I find you culpable, just know the ropes and handcuffs will be tied on your hands, no one will be spared if I find out that you (contractors) connived with some of our officials to alter this road design,” Byamukama said.
During his first stopover at Wanseko, locals and district leaders led by area MP Allan Atugonza and LC5 Chairperson Atuhaire Wandera told the minister that despite being tarmacked, the road has dysfunctional street lights and has become a blackspot for crashes.
“Our colleagues are dying on a daily basis. There are no speed humps which give leeway to drivers and cyclists to drive crazy,” a resident said, with loud backing from colleagues.
Another resident said: “During the construction they destroyed our only source of clean water. Now we are suffering to get clean water.”
Leaders accused the contractor and ministry technical officers of diverting from the original design and routing the road through a rock that hosted a water pump system serving the affected villages.
Byamukama then drove to the site. Officials were forced to abandon their cars and walk about 800 metres through crushed rock where the road was created.
A few steps in, the minister found a heap of stagnant water being fetched by locals. When he inquired, they told him the water was seeping from the soil and sometimes supplemented by rainwater.
A heated exchange then broke out between Buliisa district leaders and officials from China Railway Seventh Group and some ministry technical officers who denied that the water source was destroyed.
“Stop lying to the minister,” Atugonza told the contractor and ministry officials angrily, backed by other leaders.
The contractor later admitted and said they had established a borehole for locals, which residents said has never worked.
Another concern raised was compensation for project-affected persons (PAPs) at the spot. The contractor and technical officials initially claimed PAPs had been compensated, which was refuted by leaders and residents.
The minister grilled the contractors who later admitted and promised to kickstart the compensation process next month.
Byamukama also raised safety concerns, noting the deep ditch dug could cause sudden deaths, and questioned the seven-year delay of the project, tasking the contractor to deliver the Shs500b project by January next year.