OBONGI: Two District officials and contractor arrested over diversion of funds
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has on 31st July, 2024 arrested two officials from Obongi District and a contractor for allegedly diverting UGX 74M from the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP).
Mr. Ivan Opio Onapa, District Engineer, Mr. Geoffrey Tako, Desk Officer for the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP), and Mr. Fisher Martin, a contractor were arrested on orders of Dr. Patricia Achan Okiria, the Deputy Inspector General of Government.
This followed numerous complaints from the community members and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and subsequent investigations conducted. They are currently detained at the Kampala Central Police Station.
Investigations conducted by IG show that the Engineer and Desk Officer colluded with Mr. Fisher and changed the approved standard Plans of construction of the doctors’ houses in health centres by the Ministry of Health to suit their selfish interests. This is contrary to the DRDIP Operations Manual.
They changed the solid concrete walling to brick walling, the steel roofing works to timber roofing works, and never carried out test results for the ring beam, concrete bases and column stubs. They did not carry out any technical study of the effects of changing the approved plan on the building quality, strength and cost implication.
According to investigations, the total contract amount for the construction of the Doctor’s house at Itula Health Centre III is UGX 250M.
The contractor had issued two certificates amounting to UGX 91,230,000 for the works so far done. The District officials however inflated the payment to UGX 113,879000, causing a financial loss of UGX 22,649,000.
Further investigations show that the DRDIP Desk Officer diverted UGX 52,000,000 meant for Yenga HH Cooked Stove and Briquettes sub-project to another unapproved sub-project without following the stipulated procedure.
The actions of the two district officials and contractor resulted in the loss of a total UGX 74M. This undermines the objective of the project which is to improve the livelihood of the communities in the districts and improve service delivery.
They are set to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on Thursday 1st August, 2024.
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