Jillian Akullo argued that the contractor did not only use weak materials but also did not follow the project design. She cited the fixed doors without glasses, no water pass way in the bathrooms, and weak slabs used in the latrines as challenges that have to be fixed before the project hand over.
Otuke Resident District Commissioner has declined to receive
a pit latrine constructed at Ogwete HCIII over shoddy work.
Bataka Constructors and Traders Ltd was awarded a 24million shilling contract
to construct a 4 stance pit latrine at the health center within a period of 3
months. On Friday, the company invited district officials to receive the
complete facility, however, Jillian Akullo, the RDC declined to receive the
latrine citing shoddy work.
Akullo argued that the contractor did not only use weak
materials but also did not follow the project design. She cited the fixed
doors without glasses, no water passway in the bathrooms, and weak slabs used
in the latrines as challenges which have to be fixed before the project hand
over.
Luo byte://Cue in: “Bataka tye kede…//
Cue out: … pe ojolo tin.”//
Translation:“Bataka has things to
be corrected there and for that reason, in this meeting I will not waste my
time on them and therefore, Bataka’s project of 4 stance toilet I will not
receive it on behalf of the Central Government unless the problems have been
fixed. We saw that in the toilet there, the bathroom has a flat water outlet
because the pipe is very small and so it should be changed. Also we are worried
that the slab inside the first stance is weak and might collapse and bring for
us problems, so all in all we are not receiving this today.”
In his response Gilbert Opio, the contractor who
acknowledged that his workers might have made some mistakes said he will have
the problems fixed by next week so that the facility can be in use.
Eng byte://Cue in: “We cannot say…//
Cue out: … be done perfectly.”//
Meanwhile the RDC received a twin house for staff constructed
by Wangji General Enterprise Uganda Ltd at the same health center. Ogwete which
serves a vast population in the district had only one staff house which was
accommodating 8 out of its 14 staffs.
Peter Ocwic, who is in charge of the facility, explained
that some of his staff used to sleep in the kitchen, some outside the health
center while others share the only available staff house so the new structure
is a blessing to them.
Eng byte://Cue in: “The accommodation facility…//
Cue out: …help us on.”//
Ambrose Otim, a staff at the health center says with all
staff being accommodated within the facility, delays will be minimized and
thus improving service delivery to the clients.
Eng byte: //Cue in: “It is going to//
Cue out: … you are late.”//
Government approved the upgrade of Ogwete from level II to
III status to improve on the patient numbers and quality of services offered to the
people. The facility which has 14 staff serves a vast community including
those from the neighboring districts of Abim, Amuria and Napak.
