The construction of a 1.5KM fibre optic cable along Obote Avenue in Lira town has been halted following a demand for the compensation by the land lords.
This is a project being implemented by the ministry of information, communication and technology to install and supply internet from the main Post Office along Soroti road to the district administration block, All Saints University, Lira Central Police Station and Regional Referral Hospital.
But the construction has been put to halt following a protest and demand for the compensation by the landlords whose verandas are being dug to install the fibre cables.
In Lira town, the Fibre Optic cable is being installed by Egypro Company Limited.
Okeng Denis, the representative of landlords whose verandas have been dug to pave way for the installation of the cables, said they were neither consulted nor informed early by the company contracted, district or municipality.
Okeng said the workers of Egypro Company were digging their verandas at night, something which has made them wild.
Lira town is part of the many towns including Iganga, Busia, Mbale, Gulu, Masaka, Mbarara, and Ntungamo benefiting from the phase two of the fibre cable to ease on the internet connections.
Dr. William Alele, whose veranda of the building along Obote Avenue has been was dug at night, says he tried stopping the workers at three times but they refused. He says they must be compensated for the destruction caused on their houses.
Lira town clerk Ambrose Ocen blames the construction company of not informing his office adding that he never authorized the work.
Ocen says the company blandered and that they will have to go into a negotiation with the landlords.
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He notes that the company will have to cover the damages which they caused on the tarmac road along Obote Avenue.
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On Monday, Ronald Kayamba, the Egypro Company project manager who is supervising the installation told Uganda Radio Network that the work has been stalled since the landlords are demanding for compensation.
Kayamba claimed there is no budget for the compensation which the landlords are demanding for adding they are still engaged in negotiations with them.
