8.5 Billion shillings Water Project Stalls in Rakai
Some of small dams constructed at the bulky water project
The construction of a bulky water plant at Kiyumba Kimu village in Kagamba Sub County in Rakai district has stalled. Rakai district officials accuse Dott Technical Services Limited, which was contracted to construct the plant for abandoning the site. In 2012, government released 8.5 of the estimated 17 billion shillings meant for the entire project to kick start construction work. According to the contract, Dott Technical Services Limited was expected to complete the project and hand it over to government last month. Once completed the project is expected to boast irrigation and address the perennial drought in the district. Our reporter visited the construction site and found it deserted.
Rakai district officials accuse Dott Technical Services Limited of abandoning the project before completing 50 percent of the work. George Kasibante, the Rakai district Water Engineer who is the lead supervisor of the project told our reporter that he is not aware what is happening at the site. Kasibante says that Dot Construction services limited was expected to hand over the project in June this year. He declined to divulge details. Robert Mugabi, the Rakai LC V chairperson says they are disappointed with the stalling of the water plant adding that more than 200,000 potential beneficiaries are equally frustrated. Mugabi says they are planning to convene a council meeting to pass a resolution to petition the water and environment ministry to reprimand the company for breach of contract.
Patel Magezi, the Project Site Engineer manager Dott Technical Services declined to speak on why the project has stalled and told our reporter it was none of his business. Faith Kayitesi, a resident of Lumbugu says they very optimistic that once the plant is completed they would access clean water for domestic use and irrigation of their crops. Kayitesi explains that the long drought in the area has affected her cabbages. She explains that she used to get water from L. Kijanebalora but gave up because it is far away. Rose Nakyanzi, a resident of Rakai town council suspects Dott Technical services wants to abandon the project for good and misappropriate money meant for the construction work.
She has asked Rakai district authorities to involve them in the pursuit of accountability for the project. Joseph Lubowa, a resident of Kagamba Sub County says the delayed completion over the project has impacted negatively on the efforts by farmers to boost their production. Lubowa, a coffee farmer claims that he hires vendors to supply him with water for irrigating his plantation. He claims that he spends about 20,000 shillings each day to pay vendors to irrigate his coffee plants to save them from the scorching sun.
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