Following a directive by the Rt.Hon.PM, the Hon. MOSW, Musa Ecweru accompanied by technical officers from the Ministry, UNRA and URF on Friday the 27th of August 2021 went on a site visit to assess the ongoing works on the Ssezibwa Swamp crossing that will connect Nakasongola and Kayunga Districts once complete.
The team drove through Zirobwe- Kikyusa- Bamugolodde road which the Rt.hon.PM, Robinnah Nabanja had made a passionate request to have tarmacked.
Once at the site the Hon Minister boarded a canoe to connect to the site where the contractor had laid a slab for the construction of a box culvert. Hon. Ecweru and the Nakasongola MP-Hon. Mutebi Noah both expressed great dissatisfaction with the slow pace of works on the project.
Omega Construction was contracted in early 2019 with a contract period of 18 months which elapsed, the contractor had already extended the project twice for a period of 12 months but had still failed to complete the works.
The District Leadership complained to the Ministry about the contractor’s use poor and old equipment, queried why the Ministry issued a contract to the contractor yet they had been blacklisted by UNRA. They requested that the bridge gets expedited owing to the loss of lives, and the sensitivity of the project.
Along with the Nakasongola Member of Parliament, the Minister tasked the contractor-Omega Construction to have the works completed within the next two months. The Contractor promisesd to have the box culvert in place in the two months grace period issued.
It was observed that the road is of great economic importance since it would ease congestion and traffic on the Gulu highway from Kampala.
The Hon. Ecweru warned contractors against abusing government funds and not fulfilling contracts to the stipulated standards. He promised to traverse the whole country to inspect and ensure quality road works.
The District leadership also requested the Minister to look into tarmacking the Zirobwe -Nakasongola, Mayirikiti-Kalungi-Kazwana, Nakasongola-Kibuye, Rwampanga-Moone-Migeera roads.
Hon. Mutebi Noah threaten to hold a demonstration within the next two months if the works are not completed to a sustainable state.