MPs probe fake seeds, pangas
Jul 23, 2007
MPS yesterday started investigations into the alleged distribution of fake seeds and farm tools by the Prime Minister’s Office to the internally displaced persons in the north.
By Apollo Mubiru
MPS yesterday started investigations into the alleged distribution of fake seeds and farm tools by the Prime Minister’s Office to the internally displaced persons in the north.
The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, on July 3 directed the parliamentary committee on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries to investigate the matter following a petition by Aswa County MP Reagan Okumu.
In his petition, Okumu argued that there was no value for money from the products distributed.
According to Okumu, the Prime Minister’s office in conjunction with the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness selected Crocodile Tools, Kisugu Enterprise and Akuku Company to supply the farm implements.
He contended that the seed viability tests carried out by Gulu district agricultural officer on all the seeds which included millet, maize, sorghum and ground nuts established that only four percent of the 32,000kg maize supplied and 15% of the 23,000kg of groundnuts could germinate.
Gulu district chairman Nobert Mao recently returned some of the tools and seeds to the line minister, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere.
The committee, chaired by Buhwezu MP Deus Bikwasizehi, has two weeks to come up with a report on the matter.
Yesterday, it summoned the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, his technical team and the two ministers in charge of disaster preparedness and refugees.
Others summoned include the tools and seeds suppliers, Gulu resident district commissioner Walter Ochora and the coordinator of the disaster management committee, Charles Ouma.
The committee will conduct public hearings, interview the beneficiaries and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards on whether they certified the importation of the tools.
The team has to discover the origin of the agricultural inputs and establish whether procurement procedures were followed as provided for in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
The MPs are also interested in the evaluation of the contracts between the suppliers and the Prime Minister’s Office in regard to the matter, the legal implications and the sanctions and penalties.
MPS yesterday started investigations into the alleged distribution of fake seeds and farm tools by the Prime Minister’s Office to the internally displaced persons in the north.
The Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, on July 3 directed the parliamentary committee on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries to investigate the matter following a petition by Aswa County MP Reagan Okumu.
In his petition, Okumu argued that there was no value for money from the products distributed.
According to Okumu, the Prime Minister’s office in conjunction with the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness selected Crocodile Tools, Kisugu Enterprise and Akuku Company to supply the farm implements.
He contended that the seed viability tests carried out by Gulu district agricultural officer on all the seeds which included millet, maize, sorghum and ground nuts established that only four percent of the 32,000kg maize supplied and 15% of the 23,000kg of groundnuts could germinate.
Gulu district chairman Nobert Mao recently returned some of the tools and seeds to the line minister, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere.
The committee, chaired by Buhwezu MP Deus Bikwasizehi, has two weeks to come up with a report on the matter.
Yesterday, it summoned the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, his technical team and the two ministers in charge of disaster preparedness and refugees.
Others summoned include the tools and seeds suppliers, Gulu resident district commissioner Walter Ochora and the coordinator of the disaster management committee, Charles Ouma.
The committee will conduct public hearings, interview the beneficiaries and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards on whether they certified the importation of the tools.
The team has to discover the origin of the agricultural inputs and establish whether procurement procedures were followed as provided for in the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
The MPs are also interested in the evaluation of the contracts between the suppliers and the Prime Minister’s Office in regard to the matter, the legal implications and the sanctions and penalties.