"It's unfortunate that some of our development partners who could be helping us to sensitise the masses against COVID-19 are the ones contravening the guidelines," the RDC said.
The Karenga District COVID-19
Taskforce has closed the offices of MANNA
development agency, a nongovernmental organization
operating in the district.
Led by the Resident District
Commissioner, Samuel Mpimbaza, the task force decided to close the offices on Wednesday morning, saying its
leaders had refused to quarantine two staff that tested positive for COVID-19
and disinfect the offices.
Hashaka told URN that the top administration of the MANNA organization turned down
several calls from the task force to quarantine the affected staff and disinfect.
"It's unfortunate that some of our development partners who could be
helping us to sensitise the masses against COVID-19 are the ones contravening the guidelines, “he said.
He said the offices will not open until all the staffs working in the organization are quarantined and
treated. Karenga District Health Inspector, Riews Ilukol accused the team of MANNA development agency of being stubborn.
"These people have been so stubborn they don't follow the SOPs put in place by the Ministry of Health. When two of their staff tested positive, we
advised the entire team
to go for testing and quarantine themselves
but they refused and continued operating. Even those who tested positive continued mixing with the community, “he
said.
According to Ilukol, the managers chased health workers from the district
deployed to fumigate their office making it for the
district to secure the lives of residents who often visit the
office for services.
Nicolas Lofane, the managing director of
MANNA development Agency warned of legal action against anyone talking about MANNA development agency.
"My brother I don't know what you’re talking about. It's true some of our staffs tested positive and they
were quarantined and by the way that's not what makes news. I think we shall take
action against anyone trying to malice our organisation, “he said.
Norah Akidi, one of the residents of
Karenga town council appealed to the district task force to address the situation and open the office of the agency, saying that many farmers will lose the services rendered by the development
partner.
"We do request the district to sit down with the officials from MANNA
development Agency and resolved the issues so that people continue getting
services rendered by the NGO," she said.
MANNA is a development agency that operates in South Sudan and Uganda. Part of their funding comes
from Sudan.
steven Ariong
Freelancer