MasakaMunicipalityis under fire for reportedly awarding road construction tenders to three companies accused of having a history of doing shoddy work.
On Thursday, the Municipal Council approved three contractors to undertake major road repairs in the town. The three are Assured Engineering Company, Wamala Technical Services Limited and Country City Contractors.
Assured Engineering Company and Country Contractors are to rehabilitate Jathebai road, Alex Ssebowa road, Kitovu road, Ssese Street, Upper Grant Street and Kabula Street.
Wamala Technical Services Limited has been tendered to fix broken drainage system along Edward Avenue, Buddu Street, Nulu Road, and Elgin Street. Johnson Baryantuma Munono, the Masaka town clerk says the road construction and drainage system maintenance will cost the municipality up to 600 million shillings.
But the residents have faulted the municipality for awarding tenders to Wamala Engineering Services and Assured Engineering Company which they claim have a history of corruption and doing shoddy work.
Peter Mutesasira, a former parliamentary candidate and Dan Mulondo who is Secretary for Works, say they were shocked to see the two companies on the list yet they had been black-listed.
Mutesasira says he wants the tendering process reviewed to block these companies from undertaking road repairs. He calls for investigations into how the tendering process was carried out.
Last year, former Finance Minister Gerald Ssendawula blocked the commissioning of a classroom block constructed by Wamala Technical Services because of shoddy work. Ssendawula said that he could not commission the storied building at Sseke Secondary School because the cement peeled off before completion and that it had developed cracks.
Dr. Ssenkeezi Mutumba, another resident claims that as a result of poorly constructed drainage system, his buildings near Masaka main taxi park have been destroyed by flash floods.
// Cue in: “These things overflow….”
Cue out: “…..problem of water.”//
Godfrey Kayemba, the Masaka Mayor who has also approved the contractors says they have met the contractors and set tough conditions for them.
//Cue in: “When people own them…..”
Cue out: “…..at various levels.”//
Both Assured Engineers and Wamala Technical Services have, however, denied doing shoddy work. They instead blamed the damaged roads on heavy rains. Diriisa Ssemukasa, the Managing Director of Wamala Technical services claims that rain and poor sand affects their work.
// Cue in: “It is rain…….”
Cue out: “……how much money can you give me.”//
