MPs summon NSSF bosses
Aug 21, 2008
MPs have summoned National Social Security Fund (NSSF) chiefs over recent investment deals.
By Mary Karugaba
MPs have summoned National Social Security Fund (NSSF) chiefs over recent investment deals.
The chairman of the commissions and state enterprises committee, John Odit, yesterday said the officials must explain the way they handled the purchase of land at sh11b from a company in which security minister Amama Mbabazi has interest.
According to a letter of August 18, the NSSF managers are to appear before the committee today.
Odit said the deal had upset Parliament and the public.
“The committee would like to meet you to clarify on the recent reports and present your case on the management and handling of NSSF investments. You shall be expected to be well-equipped with the laws that govern the fund,†the letter read.
The NSSF in February paid sh11b for 414 acres of land owned by Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi in Temangalo, Wakiso district.
The committee, Odit added, also wanted the fund to explain why the cost of building Pension Towers, its complex on Lumumba Avenue, Kampala, had shot up from sh36b to sh120b.
The price was revised less than four months after construction started. Both transactions were not approved by the public procurement authority, the MPs said.
The project contract was signed with Roko on April 2.
But on June 18, the board approved managing director Chandi Jamwa’s request to increase the cost to sh120b, citing “extensive changes in the project designâ€.
Deputy managing director Mondo Kagonyera declined to comment. “Please, don’t waste time. Don’t ask me those questions. I am on leave.â€
Odit said since NSSF was a public entity, it had to be accountable. “This is workers money,†he said. “They should be able to access it when they retire.â€
Odit said for the last 15 years, the fund had suffered financial scandals and corruption.
“The new management in a way had started clean but have gotten into dubious transactions,†he added.
Odit said the committee would also summon Roko, Mbabazi and the directors of Arma Limited, the firm at the centre of the controversial deal, in case the MPs failed to get satisfactory answers.
Meanwhile, seven members of the National Resistance Movement parliamentary caucus have petitioned the Chief Whip, Kabakumba Masiko, to ask Mbabazi to explain the land deal.
They want Mbabazi to resign his party position as NRM secretary general if he unduly influenced the transaction.
MPs have summoned National Social Security Fund (NSSF) chiefs over recent investment deals.
The chairman of the commissions and state enterprises committee, John Odit, yesterday said the officials must explain the way they handled the purchase of land at sh11b from a company in which security minister Amama Mbabazi has interest.
According to a letter of August 18, the NSSF managers are to appear before the committee today.
Odit said the deal had upset Parliament and the public.
“The committee would like to meet you to clarify on the recent reports and present your case on the management and handling of NSSF investments. You shall be expected to be well-equipped with the laws that govern the fund,†the letter read.
The NSSF in February paid sh11b for 414 acres of land owned by Mbabazi and businessman Amos Nzeyi in Temangalo, Wakiso district.
The committee, Odit added, also wanted the fund to explain why the cost of building Pension Towers, its complex on Lumumba Avenue, Kampala, had shot up from sh36b to sh120b.
The price was revised less than four months after construction started. Both transactions were not approved by the public procurement authority, the MPs said.
The project contract was signed with Roko on April 2.
But on June 18, the board approved managing director Chandi Jamwa’s request to increase the cost to sh120b, citing “extensive changes in the project designâ€.
Deputy managing director Mondo Kagonyera declined to comment. “Please, don’t waste time. Don’t ask me those questions. I am on leave.â€
Odit said since NSSF was a public entity, it had to be accountable. “This is workers money,†he said. “They should be able to access it when they retire.â€
Odit said for the last 15 years, the fund had suffered financial scandals and corruption.
“The new management in a way had started clean but have gotten into dubious transactions,†he added.
Odit said the committee would also summon Roko, Mbabazi and the directors of Arma Limited, the firm at the centre of the controversial deal, in case the MPs failed to get satisfactory answers.
Meanwhile, seven members of the National Resistance Movement parliamentary caucus have petitioned the Chief Whip, Kabakumba Masiko, to ask Mbabazi to explain the land deal.
They want Mbabazi to resign his party position as NRM secretary general if he unduly influenced the transaction.