Mary Karugaba
13 January 2009
Kampala — THE Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has blasted the works ministry for failing to provide a ferry for the communities around Lake Kyoga.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, Kadaga said she was aware that sh2.9b for the ferry was available at the works ministry since the last financial year.
The ministry last month invited bids for consultancy services for the ferry. The money for the consultancy is to be provided by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Kadaga, however, said the bids would delay the procurement process.
"I am disturbed that the bid is calling for a study on the proposed ferry and possible landing sites. What further studies are required to establish whether the people need a ferry?" Kadaga asked.
She noted that the ferry proposal was included in the public investment plan as far back as 1990. Kadaga also said the ferry was a presidential pledge.
"I am, therefore, writing to urge you (Nsibambi) to prevail over the ministry not to waste time and resources in fulfiling the pledge," Kadaga said.
President Yoweri Museveni in 2007 wrote to works minister John Nasasira, saying plans to procure the ferry were part of his manifesto. "The idea of another ferry for Bukungu-Kaberamaido-Kasilo in the financial year 2008/9 appears reasonable to me. Consult with the MPs and local leaders and inform me of your decision," Museveni said.
In April, 2007, Museveni again requested Nasasira to include the installation of a ferry between Amolatar and Apac districts in the budget of the subsequent financial years.
"The priorities for the next financial year should be the ferries for Rwampanga and Namasale and for Bukhungu and Kaberamaido-Kasilo," the President advised.
Commenting on the matter, the works ministry public relations officer, Susan Kataike, said although the ferry was a presidential pledge, it had to go through the procurement procedures.
Kataike said there was need for consultancy services because the ferry that the ministry plans to procure is big, almost the size of MV Kalangala.
"We are not delaying the process for the sake of it. We need to know the size of the ferry and also study the routes because the distance is long, with many landing sites," she said.
Kadaga advised the ministry to secure a waiver on some of the processes from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA).
Kataike said the advice on the waiver was welcome.
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