GULU-The construction of a landfill in Gulu City has stalled after the construction company abandoned work, exposing the nearby vulnerable communities to poor hygiene and sanitation.
Geomax Engineering Firm, a local construction company, was contracted to construct a landfill in the city’s Laroo-Pece Division.
The Shs 3.5 billion contract was signed on May 26, 2021, and the construction of the landfill was expected to be completed in December 2021.
The project funded by the German Development Bank (KFW) was to improve the garbage management, water, and sanitation in Gulu City.
The situation is bad now as the garbage deposited near the landfill is all over the farmlands in the project-affected area, forcing some locals to abandon their houses as they cannot stand the stench coming out of the garbage.
Lilly Abwol, one of the affected persons, told theCooperator on Thursday in an interview that the company abandoned the site five months ago.
Abwol explained that parts of her farmlands were filled up with garbage with the heavy rain that has worsened the hygiene and sanitation of the area.
She noted that their engagement with the City Authorities in response to the crisis has failed to yield fruit with many of the families now abandoning their home for fear of an outbreak of epidemics.
Her counterpart Balbina Aloyo also complained of a similar situation, which she said, has exposed the children to high risk to contract diseases.
“It’s very difficult to live here especially when it rains because the maggots will always spread to our home and block the roads,” Aloyo disclosed on Thursday in an interview.
The Gulu City Mayor, Alfred Okwonga confirmed the incident but noted the council has resolved to terminate the contract with the company for incompetence.
However, when contacted on phone, Paul Makhati, an Engineer working with the construction firm was mute to comment on the development.
Meanwhile, team leader of the German Cooperation, Bank Robert Towler had earlier on warned of the corruption and shoddy work in the implementation of the project.
The City authorities are however battling with the garbage collection and management and the project was expected to ease the backlog of piles of garbage in different areas within Gulu city.
At least 137 tons of garbage are being generated daily in the city according to the 2020 report by the City environmental department with collection only standing at 40 percent.
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