ALEBTONG, March 26, 2025 — Two companies awarded contracts worth over Shs 1.2 billion to upgrade health units in Alebtong district are now under investigation by the Inspectorate of Government.
According to reports from the Office of the Inspector General of Government [IGG], the companies in question are M/S Mesco and Power, and Way Bay. Mesco was contracted to construct the Abia Health Centre at a cost of Shs 630 million, while Power and Way Bay was responsible for the Anara Health Centre at a cost of Shs 649 million.
Annet Twine, the Director of Leadership Conduct at the Inspectorate of Government, stated that the scope of works at both facilities included the construction of a maternity ward, VIP latrine, two staff housing blocks, a general ward, and a medical pit.
During a site visit to the projects at Abia and Anara recently, Twine observed significant issues with the work, including shoddy construction in the maternity ward, general ward, placenta pit, floors, and staff houses.
Twine warned that if the contractors failed to complete the work within two weeks, the IGG would arrest and prosecute the company owners.
At Anara, Twine explained that the contract had been awarded to M/S Power and Way in 2019, while Abia’s contract was awarded to M/S Mesco in 2021 for a substantial sum of Shs 630 million.
She noted that the companies had abandoned the sites despite being fully paid for the work.
“There was no provision made for a defects liability period, which led to the contractors disappearing without rectifying the work,” she said.
“Please deliver this message to him: “If he doesn’t complete the work and hand it over by the end of this month [30 March], the IGG will arrest him.”
David Kennedy Odongo, the LC5 Chairperson of Alebtong district, explained that most of the contracts had been awarded before he took office in 2021. By the time he arrived, the projects were nearly complete, but the contractors had disappeared, and attempts to recall them had been unsuccessful.
He added that the fact the contracts were awarded by the central government had allowed the contractors to undermine the district authority.
https://thecooperator.news/igg-to-probe-kalungu-district-officials-over-misuse-of-school-funds/
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