Two senior officials of Lira Municipal council have been suspended for alleged abuse of office. The duo Jimmy Okao, head of Lira Municipal Council Procurement Unit and Paga Quirino, the principal health inspector was suspended on Monday. Ambrose Ocen, Lira Town clerk explains that Okao was suspended following numerous complaints regarding his management of the procurement process.
He says that Okao is accused of among other things the failure to keep proper procurement records, breach of procurement laws and principals and failure to give technical advice to the accounting officer. He cites the controversy surrounding the award of a contract to Power Star limited, yet the same contract had already been awarded to Oryem Can Company limited. Ocen explains that he suspended Paga Quirino, the principal health inspector for failing to account for shillings 24 million he received for implementing some activities.
He says that Paga received the money in question in 2009/2010 financial year but has failed to submit any accountability to date. Ocen says that he has repeatedly asked Paga for accountability for the said funds in vain. Okao denies any wrong doing, wondering why he has been suspended on matters he was not involved in.
