During a community meeting aimed at blocking a planned mark stone planting by one Patrick Ojok Lakica who is accused of blocking Samson Oyoo Road over the weekend, the community members claim that several other roads in the area that have also been tampered with including Aber Lane which was modified more than five times by the physical planners.
Residents of Vanguard in Laroo Pece Division in Gulu City have called for an investigation of the then municipal planers for allegedly altering road plans which is affecting development in the area.
During a community meeting aimed at blocking a planned mark stone planting by one Patrick Ojok Lakica who is accused of blocking Samson Oyoo Road over the weekend, the community members claim that several other roads in the area that have also been tampered with including Aber Lane which was modified more than five times by the physical planners.
Pauline Akwero Olweny, a resident of the area says she acquired her land in 2002 and by then roads such as Aber land, Samson Oyoo Road and Ajulina lane among others were in the plan and were supposed to be opened but in 2011, when Ojok acquired than land which is in the middle of the road.
According to Akwero, the physical planners within the then municipal council have on several occasions altered the road networks to allow some people who have money to acquire land and plant mark stones.
//Cue in: “peko ocake
Cue out … ma gi ngeyo”//
Josephine Apio, another resident of the area, blames the Municipal and City authorities for allowing alteration of roads which has affected community development including access to places such as markets.
Patrick Ojok, whose mark stone planting was halted says that by the time he bought his land, there were no planned roads and is surprised that community members are accusing him of blocking a road by fencing his land which is in the middle of his land.
//Cue in: “wan watye ki
Cue out … ni yoo pe”//
Ojok says that the Division and the City authorities ought to investigate the technical staff in order to avoid confusions which hinder development.
Robert Okwera, the area division councilor, says that they are going to raise the matter to the city authorities so that an independent audit is done.
According to Okwera, several people within the division are complaining of being affected by road diversions which in most cases favor the rich.
Michael Ojok is a multi-channel reporter based in Gulu district (Northern Uganda). He is interested in humanitarian stories, culture, conflict, peace, environment, health and education.
Michael Ojok
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