Kampala minister irked by Lubigi channel contractor

By Juliet Waiswa                             

Kampala Minister Frank Tumwebaze has blamed contractors working along Nsoba-Lubigi Channel for the slow progress.

Expressing dissatisfaction, Tumwebaze expressed wary that the contractor’s small manpower was unable to complete the project on time and work was not going on as expected.

“Be honest and tell us if work will be ready by November. There are no workers at the site. What is the problem?” Tumwebaze grilled the contractor during his tour of the project Thursday afternoon.

Spencon Construction Company was contracted by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) two years ago to build the sh20bn project.

Tumwebaze said that at the speed at which it is being done there is a likelihood of delay.

“This World Bank funded project is expected to be handed over to government in December but the contractor is slow. I will consult the  legal team to find a solution,” he told the press shortly after touring the project.

Nsooba-Lubigi drainage channel is intended to eliminate flooding in lower parts of Mulago, Nsooba, Bwaise, Kalerwe and Namungoona areas. The channel goes through Kalerwe, Bwaise and Namungoona.

Tumwebaze also told the area councilors to find a way of engaging with the local communities around the area so that they can shift to another location.

“We also have a challenge of residents around the area who are polluting the channel with plastic bottles and bags which are likely to block the channel; we want them shifted,” He said.

He said that the channel is a threat to the community as they are likely to contract diseases related to stagnant water.

The site manager, Edward Mukalazi, told Tumwebaze much of the remaining work on the channel is being done manually.

“Work is tedious and most to the works remaining require more of hand than machines. The work force is small,” Mukalazi said.

The minister was accompanied by directors Andrew Kitakka ( Engineering and technical services) , Mike Okua( Legal services) Jennifer Kaggwa ( Human resources) and a team of councilors.