The Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Namayingo district, Trevor Solomon Baleke on Tuesday July 25, 2023 cancelled the intended commissioning of a micro-scale irrigation Demonstration Project at Mutumba Seed Senior Secondary School, in Mutumba sub-county over shoddy works.
This after the installed irrigation system failed to work before commissioning.
Flanked by Namayingo District LCV Chairman Ronald Sanya, Chief Administrative Officer Edith Namayega, District Vice chairperson Abdallah Twaha Kauta and a couple of other district technocrats, the team was shocked by the level of poor workmanship at the facility by the Contractor.
The engineer of Ms. Yoki Investments, the company contracted to install the irrigation system sweated plasma as he fidgeted to start up the system but it yielded no results.
After hours of serious hustle to start the machine the overhead sprinkler could only drip to the dismay of the enthusiastic district officials
“Government sunk here Shs 18 million tax payers’ money to establish a demonstration micro-scale irrigation project where farmers in this sub-county are expected to come and learn. But what are they going to learn from what has failed on its initial day?,” wondered the Deputy RDC before cancelling the commissioning ceremony.
“let us go to the next project. We shall come back here after the contractor putting things right as per the BoQ.” Baleke ordered.
The district leadership had earlier expressed concern over the way the water reservoir tank was erected at a very lower level doubting whether it has the capacity to allow pumping of water effectively.
Efforts by the site engineer to plead with the authorities to accept and commission the project fell on deaf ears as the No Nonsense Baleke declined to commission the project.
“Once you put things right, we shall come back,” he said.
“President Museveni advocates for quality work he doesn’t want shoddy work. He expects us to ensure value for money for these services to his voters and once we give quality services, mobilization is made easy.” Baleke said.
He tasked the CAO and district engineer to supervise the contractor to do quality work before the project can be commissioned.
The Deputy RDC who was representing his boss, Ms. Deborah Mugerwa Mwesigwa, vowed that the President’s office in Namayingo shall not commission any project where work doesn’t meet the standard.
From there, the team proceeded to Namayombe village, Buhemba sub-county where a similar project was commissioned.
“I am very impressed by the works here and therefore we are commissioning this project for the good of our people,” said Baleke before cutting the ribbon amidst cheers from the farmers.
Baleke implored farmers from all subcounties of the district who turned up for the launch to embrace government programs.
He said government introduced different programs for different categories of people, aimed at bringing everyone on board and ensure they get services.
Under micro-scale irrigation program, a farmer chooses an irrigation system of their choice and pays only 25% of its cost and government pays for them the 75%.
The program is aimed at ensuring that at least 1.5 million hectares of farmland in Uganda are being irrigated by the year 2040.
“Some of our people especially the young generation who don’t know how much this government loves its people are out there talking bad about it. These are the people who don’t know our history. They talk about this government but have no comparison,” he said.
“Therefore you embrace our government programs but also popularize them to those who lack information.”
