The Chairperson of the Government Assurances Committee Hon Kassiano Wadri has expressed his disappointment to the President and cabinet over making multiple pledges to Ugandans and failing to fulfill them.
“I am very disappointed that the Government promised tarmac roads, compensation for the animals raided by the South Sudanese in Arinyapi Sub County and opening the boundary between Adjumani and Amuru but has not yet done anything. It appears the Government just enjoys making various promises wherever they go and get entertained and applauded for without putting in mind that the locals are noting” Hon. Wadri said.
Hon. Wadri was speaking during a visit to West Nile Region by members of the Government Assurances Committee currently conducting a nation-wide tour of the country. The tour is part of the mandate of the Committee as enshrined in the Constitution and the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure.
Hon. Wadri said that the main objective of the tour is to establish which pledges were made by the President and captured in Parliament so that they can be implemented and fulfilled.
Meeting leaders of Adjumani district, the Committee members noted that Adjumani district had been connected to the power national grid but people complained that the power supply is very unreliable. He also noted that the tarmacking of the Adjumani-Gulu road and upgrading of bridges was ongoing although still at a very early stage compared to the time scale since the President promised.
The Committee went further to other parts of West Nile and they also took field on-site tours in Arua and Yumbe districts.
On arrival to Arua district, Hon Kassiano Wadri was surprised that the buildings meant to be knocked down by the UNRA for construction of a road were still standing and business was being transacted in the same building. Reacting to this concern, Mr. Ibrahim Abiriga the Arua Resident District Commissioner told the Committee members that people are willing to vacate the land and the buildings as soon as they receive their compensation. He explained however that the problem lies with the UNRA authorities who are delaying payment by subjecting people to the Uganda Revenue Authority TIN numbers which have become a big issue to the locals who do not have them.
Hon. Wadri also informed the meeting that the Committee would follow up these matters and task the relevant people to respond to these queries.
“When we return to Kampala, we shall summon people from UNRA to explain why people’s complaints have not been addressed yet,” he said.
Arua LC5 Chairman Mr Sam Wadri Nyakua, also testified to the Committee that most of the pledges the President made were not full filled hence leaving very many people disappointed with the government.
“Government promised to provide safe water for the people living along the Nile Belt and also to provide a new ferry to connect Rhino Camp landing site to Gulu District and also to pay Ushs 1.2bn in government pledges to Adarahaman a proprietor of NILE coaches for the loss of his buses which were burnt during the LRA insurgency in Northern Uganda but totally nothing has been done,” Mr. Sam Wadri said.
He added that there were some individuals in the Auditor General’s Office who have continuously frustrated efforts by the district since 2006 to ensure that pledges are fulfilled .He went ahead and listed other government assurances which included a food processing plant in Arua, cage fishing in Ogoko, Pawor and Rhino Camp and enlarging the Arua Mosque.
Mr. Amin Marga, the Arua District Khadi in his remarks told the Committee that he has reminded the President on several occasions about the mosque he pledged to the Muslims during the 16/11/2010 Iddi celebrations at Arua Primary School playground, but has never received any response.