The Minister of Works and Transport, Mr Fred Byamukama, has warned district officials in the West Nile sub-region against misusing the Shs1 billion allocated for rehabilitation of community access roads, saying those found diverting the money will be arrested and prosecuted.
The minister issued the warning during an inspection of road works in Yumbe District, where he assessed progress of projects being implemented under government’s roads programme.
He said funds were released to improve condition of roads and ease movement of people, agricultural produce and essential services, particularly in rural communities.
“I will come back next month to visit the district roads to see whether the Shs1 Billion has been put to right use to work on the village and subcounty roads. If I find they have eaten the money, I will arrest those engineers and the political leaders,” the minister warned.
“The money was meant for roads and must be used for the purpose for which it was allocated. The officials will vomit the money if they have eaten it,” he added.
During inspection of Woko Bridge in Nyio village, Arua City, the minister ordered arrest of two officials over stalled bridge project.
Those arrested included city engineer Charles Omona and procurement officer Jimmy Omale, who failed to give satisfactory explanation as to why bridge project has stalled since its launch three years ago.
According to the minister, his probe found Shs266 million had been spent yet nothing was on ground.
He said government would not tolerate shoddy work or diversion of public funds at a time when many communities continue to struggle with impassable roads.
Koboko District chairperson Ashraf Mambo said politicians don’t handle money but appropriate and approve in roads committee.
“We have been using our money in the best way possible. There has been no deviation in the money sent to our district and the status of our roads are not so bad,” he said.
He said Shs1 billion was not solely used for roadworks but part was used for repair of equipment.
“The real money spent on fuel may be around Shs 600 Million-Shs 700 Million. The message that goes to the community is about the Shs1bn for the road, but what about the maintenance cost of the machines?” he asked.
He added that machines break down frequently but they don’t have service centre within region.
“We have a service centre in Gulu but you have to pay money for people to come and service the machines. Without money, the machines can stay for 3-4months, nobody comes to service the machines,” he said.
He said before minister implements his plans, he should consider some of gaps in lower local governments.
Terego District chairperson Wilfred Saka said funds for district were used for intended purpose.
He recommended minister should go ahead with his plans and that to mismanage public resources is not good and even Bible condemns it.
“But for the case of Terego District, our engineers have done their best but only that they have been disturbed by their supervisors. We have no problem with the district roads,” he said.
“What I can tell you is that there was 10 percent money as imprest (Shs 100 Million) and part of it was supposed to be for buying consumables for the road equipment but Shs47million just disappeared without the items being supplied,” Mr Saka revealed.
He said if such wrongdoers are identified and found culpable, law should take its course.
The warning comes amid concerns from residents over poor state of several district roads, yet money has been disbursed to maintain them.
The minister said government would continue monitoring projects to ensure public resources translate into visible improvements on ground.