Delays cited in power line construction projects
Oct 26, 2015
Construction of power transmission lines is a prerequisite to effective distribution and access to grid energy. However, several projects are facing implementation challenges, which include; poor procurement planning and management; as well as low capacity of local contractors among others.
By John Odyek
Construction of power transmission lines is a prerequisite to effective distribution and access to grid energy. However, several projects are facing implementation challenges, which include; poor procurement planning and management; as well as low capacity of local contractors among others.
A report of Budget Monitoring and Accountability Unit, Ministry of finance says The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited has developed a number of transmission line systems and their associated substations countrywide.
Some of the completed projects over the years include: Bujagali Interconnection (Bujagali-Kawanda 220kV, 75km; Kawanda-Mutundwe 132kV, 17km, Bujagali-Nalubaale 132kV, 5km) and Project Substation at Kawanda. Majority of the projects however are still under implementation. The Karuma Interconnection Project, Nkenda-Hoima transmission line started in 2008 and was expected to end in 2015 but construction works had not started by February 2015.
The Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) implementation was still ongoing. Similarly, Hoima–Kafu line, commenced in 2009 and end date was 2015 but construction works and compensations had not commenced. By December 2014, the feasibility study report, and draft tender documents had been submitted and the RAP study concluded.
The slow pace was attributed to the contractor's suspension of works resulting from the donor freezing project funds. Two projects (Mbarara-Nkenda/Tororo-Lira and NELSAP - Bujagali-Tororo-lessos/MbararaMirama-Birembo) which started in 2010 and expected to end in 2015 were under construction in January 2015 but with some RAP challenges, which had not been concluded. The Electricity Sector Development Project - Kawanda-Masaka and associated lines which started in 2011 and expected to end in 2017 commenced construction works in 2014 and RAP implementation, was not yet complete by January 2015. Electrification of Industrial Parks project, which started in 2012, had in January 2015 not commenced on the construction works.
The report recommends that there should be effective mobilization and securing of donor financing.The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MFPED), MEMD, and UETCL should fast track securing of funds for transmission line projects.
They secured project sites before signing of the Engineering Procurement and Construction Contracts. UETCL should complete way leaves acquisition process before engagement of the contractors. This would minimize redundancy of the equipment on site and possible interest charges on the idle equipment.
They called for periodic revisions of property rates Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban development, District Councils and District Executive Committees; should support the District Land Boards to update the property rates annually as provided for in the Land Act Cap 227 to enable fair compensations.
They want timely approvals of the compensation reports The Chief Government Valuer's office should be strengthened to facilitate timely approvals of the valuation report as it handles all the valuation reports for all projects in the country.
They ask for timely compensations; The UETCL should ensure timely compensations to the PAPs once land valuations are done to avoid inflationary effects. They recommend for early initiation of procurements. UETCL should fast track the procurements for services to enable timely completion of the projects. The Resettlement Action Plan implementation consultant for instance should be procured before the contractor for construction works.
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