Lira City – Assistant Regional Commissioner (ARC) Sam Olang of Lira City West Division has urged the Barogole Development SACCO to promote teamwork in tackling extortion attempts during access to Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.
Mr. Olang stated that the RCC office has held several meetings with SACCO leaders from Odokomit, Jinja Camp SACCO, Parish Development Committees (PDCs), and technical staff in Lira City West to address the growing concern of extortion among PDM beneficiaries.
He emphasized the importance of transparency for SACCO leaders, demanding they avoid extortion and suspected corruption linked to PDM funds. “We will not tolerate this behavior and will pursue legal action against offenders,” Olang declared during his address to Barogole Development SACCO members on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, at Barogole Parish.
ARCC Olang stressed the need for SACCO leaders to maintain close collaboration with the RCC office, District Internal Security Officer (DISO), and PDM focal points at both the Division and City levels, not solely relying on the City Commercial Officer.
He warned that anyone caught extorting money from enterprise groups under Lira City West Division’s parish SACCOs will face arrest and prosecution. Last week, the City Commercial Officer for Lira City West, Okello Richard Odyek, was apprehended by police based on intelligence provided by the RCC office. He was suspected of collaborating with the Akwia Woro PDM SACCO group leader.
