On November 13, 2023, Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC) Gulu district, Cosmas James Okidi, issued a stern warning to contractors, emphasizing the mandatory presence of Bills of Quantity (BOQ) at construction sites prior to the commencement of any work.
DRDC Okidi made these remarks during the official handover of construction sites to WML Consult and Engineering Limited for the construction of two classroom blocks, an office, and a store at Awach Central Primary School in Gulu district. The project, funded by USAID with a contract sum of shs.534,149,202, is expected to be completed within six months from the date of launch.
“I demand value for money in these projects, and this can only be achieved by strictly adhering to the BOQ,” DRDC Okidi asserted. “I urge the CAO and their technical teams, together with the sub-county leadership, to form a dedicated monitoring team to closely oversee the projects.”
He further appealed to the community to take ownership of the projects and provide both security and labor, emphasizing the importance of education for their children.
DRDC Okidi stressed the importance of working within the agreed timeframe, expressing his concern about contractors’ tendency to extend project timelines, which goes against the contract agreement and denies pupils access to quality education.
“The payment terms for casual laborers must be clearly defined and signed, whether it be weekly or monthly, to avoid unnecessary claims and confusion between contractors and workers,” he added.
The contractor pledged full commitment to completing the tasks within the agreed period.
DRDC Okidi expressed his sincere gratitude to USAID for their contributions and pledged his unwavering support as a representative of the President of Uganda. He also acknowledged the district leadership, headed by LCV Chairperson, for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USAID.
Finally, he commended His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, for maintaining peace and security, which has enabled NGOs to operate freely and deliver services to the people of Uganda.