Ntugamo residents uproot power poles
Mar 06, 2011
RESIDENTS of Ntugamo have uprooted the electricity poles, which were recently erected by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in the district.
By Ronald Kalyango
RESIDENTS of Ntugamo have uprooted the electricity poles, which were recently erected by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in the district.
The residents said they wanted the Government to first compensate them for their destroyed crops before the poles are re-erected.
The newly-elected Ntugamo district Woman MP, Naome Kabasharira, is said to have mobilised people to uproot the poles, which had been planted in her farm.
REA officials, who visited her farm in Rugarama sub-county to ascertain the extent of the damage, appealed to residents to corporate with the contractors.
“We are under pressure to extend power to rural areas but it is surprising that instead of cooperating with the Government, some people are frustrating our efforts,†said REA spokesperson Dr. Patricia Litho.
She advised residents to embrace government programmes geared towards bringing development in the area.
“Development comes with challenges. I am sure that the good things that come with electricity will be evidenced after the extension exercise,†she said.
REA’s way leaves officer, James Litta, told residents that the Government would compensate them for their destroyed crops and trees after the power extension exercise is complete.
“The destroyed properties will be recorded and compensated for,†he said.
Litta noted that the contractors decided to plant the electricity poles in Kabasharira’s farm to avoid destroying the pine trees she planted in the road reserve.
He told the residents that on top of being compensated for their destroyed property, the Government would also pay them an extra 15% disturbance allowance.
The sh13b power line, which is funded by the Norwegian government, will benefit residents of Rwamucucu in Kabale district, Kisiizi in Rukungiri and Rugyeyo in Ntugamo.
Ferdsult Engineering Services, a local company, was contracted to undertake the power extension exercise.
The project engineer, Livingstone Ssempala, urged residents not to pay workers to extend electricity poles to their areas.
“You should not be asked to pay for electricity poles. If any of my workers dares to ask for money, identify him and inform me,†Ssempala said.
RESIDENTS of Ntugamo have uprooted the electricity poles, which were recently erected by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in the district.
The residents said they wanted the Government to first compensate them for their destroyed crops before the poles are re-erected.
The newly-elected Ntugamo district Woman MP, Naome Kabasharira, is said to have mobilised people to uproot the poles, which had been planted in her farm.
REA officials, who visited her farm in Rugarama sub-county to ascertain the extent of the damage, appealed to residents to corporate with the contractors.
“We are under pressure to extend power to rural areas but it is surprising that instead of cooperating with the Government, some people are frustrating our efforts,†said REA spokesperson Dr. Patricia Litho.
She advised residents to embrace government programmes geared towards bringing development in the area.
“Development comes with challenges. I am sure that the good things that come with electricity will be evidenced after the extension exercise,†she said.
REA’s way leaves officer, James Litta, told residents that the Government would compensate them for their destroyed crops and trees after the power extension exercise is complete.
“The destroyed properties will be recorded and compensated for,†he said.
Litta noted that the contractors decided to plant the electricity poles in Kabasharira’s farm to avoid destroying the pine trees she planted in the road reserve.
He told the residents that on top of being compensated for their destroyed property, the Government would also pay them an extra 15% disturbance allowance.
The sh13b power line, which is funded by the Norwegian government, will benefit residents of Rwamucucu in Kabale district, Kisiizi in Rukungiri and Rugyeyo in Ntugamo.
Ferdsult Engineering Services, a local company, was contracted to undertake the power extension exercise.
The project engineer, Livingstone Ssempala, urged residents not to pay workers to extend electricity poles to their areas.
“You should not be asked to pay for electricity poles. If any of my workers dares to ask for money, identify him and inform me,†Ssempala said.