Apac PDM SACCO leaders arrested over missing funds
APAC – Police in Apac district have arrested four PDM SACCO leaders for failure to account for Shs 51 million meant for the beneficiaries of the Parish Model [PDM].
The SACCO leaders in custody are; Robson Otim, the chairman Ololango PDM SACCO, Emmanuel Ekwang, Akere PDM SACCO chairperson, Samuel Odyek, chairman Adem PDM SACCO and his son, James Odyeny.
According to a brief by the Apac resident district commissioner George Abudul, the SACCO leaders on July 28, 2023, withdrew Shs 17mln each from Post Bank Lira Branch and shared it with friends, relatives, and in-laws.
‘The friends, relatives, and in-laws paid Shs 50,000 to be profiled and given money. Imagine out of Shs 17mln in the PDM SACCO accounts only less than Shs 2mln was remaining. At Adem PDM SACCO, the chairperson appointed his son Odyeny, he was taking people to the bank even when you are not a member of any enterprise group. If you pay Shs 50,000 your voucher is processed and money given,” he said.
“So, we want to institute an audit in those SACCOs. They have to present statements of the account of their SACCOs and the list of the beneficiaries from each SACCOs. We want to verify if those who received money are the rightful beneficiaries,” he added.
Rogers Kafere, Apac district police commander said, “Yes, we have them in safe custody. As I talk now, they are recording statements.”
“A complaint was made by the RDC during the PDM SACCO meeting in Chegere Sub-county on Monday, and a case was opened at Apac CPS under SD ref 12/30/07/2023 and CRB 339/2023,” he said yesterday.
Kafere added that “There were allegations by members of various groups that the PDM SACCO Chairpersons were demanding a kickback of Shs 50,000 from each beneficiary per withdrawal. So that is also under investigation, and later the files will be submitted to the resident state attorney for legal advice.”
The arrest of the SACCO chairpersons came shortly after reopening of PDM activities in Apac district and Apac Municipality. Previously, Abudul, the resident district commissioned had halted PDM activities following concerns of extortion of money.
PDM launched in February 2022, aims to move 3.5mln households still trapped in subsistence economy to the money economy. The programme emphasises investment in agricultural enterprises such as coffee, dairy, fish farming and piggery, among others.
Under the programme, Apac district and Apac Municipality received over Shs 5 billion for disbursement to poor households so that they can engage in income generating activities.
https://thecooperator.news/apac-carelessness-in-data-collection-delays-disbursement-of-pdm-funds/
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