Nsibambi denies purchase of hoes
Nov 05, 2010
THE Prime Minister, Prof Apollo Nsibambi, has said he neither directed nor approved purchase of hoes instead of ox-ploughs for in contravention of procurement regulations.
THE Prime Minister, Prof Apollo Nsibambi, has said he neither directed nor approved purchase of hoes instead of ox-ploughs for in contravention of procurement regulations.
Nsibambi told journalists yesterday that he only told his officials to “proceed with the process of procurement.†This, he said was after his officials informed him that the supplier, Soroti Agricultural Implements Machinery Manufacturing Company (SIAMMCO) had failed to supply ox-ploughs and instead offered hoes.
The Prime Minister’s office was responsible for purchase of resettlement kits, which included hoes, pangas, axes, sickles, seeds and ox-ploughs for internally displaced persons returning home. This was under the Emergency Plan for Humanitarian Intervention which was to be implemented by various ministries.
Nsibambi explained that although this had been an emergency intervention, he told his officials to follow the process of procurement.
He was reacting to media reports that public accounts committee wants him to explain diversion of sh1.7bn to purchase hoes instead of ox-ploughs.
The reports quoted officials his office led by the Permanent Secretary, Pius Bigirimana, that the swap was done with Nsibambi’s approval. The former Under Secretary, Dorcas Okalany said: “Since it was an emergency issue, we proposed that the supplier gives us hoes. This was forwarded to the Prime Minister who agreed with us.â€
Nsibambi said that political leaders are not allowed to interfere in procurement, according to the Constitution. “I am aware of these provisions of the Constitution, so I usually ask the views of the Permanent Secretary before taking action,†Nsibambi said.
“I have been Prime Minister for 10 years and have tried my best to adhere to regulations and to ensure there is political hygiene in my ministry and other ministries…,†he added.
Bigirimana also denied that he and his team told PAC that Nsibambi got involved in the procurement process.
The PS said following SIAMMCO’s failure to supply ploughs, the Prime Minister directed that a task force be put in place to bring up a proposal for the supply of the rest of the input.
“The taskforce revised a schedule which was forwarded to the Prime Minister. He did not give a directive, he only agreed to a proposal to procure.â€