Peter Owili, Abim District – A section of youth and farmers in Magamaga Sub County, Abim District, have petitioned President Museveni over the “ghost” valley tank, where the Ministry of Water and Environment allegedly swindled over Shs 800 million.
Jenifer Akidi, a resident of Magamaga Sub County, said that since 2010, the Ministry of Water and Environment has failed to provide value for money for the people of Abim regarding the dam.
“Ministry of Water officials kept coming to clear the site, but honestly, from that time to date, nothing is on the ground,” she said.
According to Ms. Akidi, when the President visited Abim District to tour an irrigation system of a prominent farmer, they were blocked from presenting their grievance to him regarding the dam.
Peter Ojok, another resident, said they had all hoped to grow vegetables in the area, but their plans have been shattered by the Ministry of Water and Environment’s failure to complete the dam.
We are wondering why our elected leaders have kept a low profile and failed to demand the arrest of the engineers who are still in office,” he said.
Michael Ogwanga, another youth leader, said some of the engineers who were supposed to supervise the dam’s construction have since been promoted despite poor work.
Micheal Ogwanga another youth leader said some of the enginners who were meant to supervise the works on the dam have since been promoted for poor work done.
“We shall organize for the massive protest against this injustice and corruption, we can’t continue like this, enough is enough,”he said.
One of the district officials attached to the Production Office in Abim, when contacted, acknowledged that the Ministry has done a disservice to the people of Abim and that they were not even included in the supervision of the works.
Honestly, the Ministry of Water that we used to know has now changed completely, and President Museveni should do something about this ministry,” he said.
