MINISTER KYOFATOGABYE WARNS CONTRACTORS AGAINST CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY

Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Minister of State Hon. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, has issued a stern caution to road construction contractors urging them to desist from corruption and bribery tendencies which lead to compromise in the quality and standard of roads.

During a stakeholder meeting organized by the Lord Mayor, H.W Eng. Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo, that took place at City Hall on Friday 03 July, Kyofatogabye emphasized that contractors should focus on capacity building to be able to compete favorably with other players in the market other than resorting to corruption and bribery.

He directed contractors to ensure timely completion of their work while observing quality and standards to account for tax payer’s money.

“Those contractors who get contracts and lag behind and wait to come and seek contract extensions, that won’t happen again, we can’t tolerate such habits anymore, Kyofatogabye said.

Kyofatogabye further warned leaders and staff who collaborate with contractors and take part in corruption and bribery, would be dealt with decisively.

H.W Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo who convened the meeting that brought together City leaders and contractors implementing projects under the Uganda Road Fund, the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation project, the GKMA UDP and the Japan International Cooperation (JICA), pledged his full support to contractors that are performing well.

“I will keenly supervise these projects myself to ensure value for money, this business of scaring people with God fathers, won’t work anymore. If you don’t want to work you leave and go, our people only want good service delivery,” Balimwezo said.

“I promised my Kampala people that Kampala needed an Engineer and now that am here, things must be done the right way to show that indeed an engineer is here”, Balimwezo noted.

The KCCA ED, Hajjat Buzeki Sharifah, who was in attendance reechoed the message of quality work, timely delivery and cost effective.  Buzeki cautioned contractors on project delays noting that this was a growing cancer among most contractors and that this would damage their reputation but also lead to delayed payments.

“Most of you are behind schedule and this will affect your payments, do your work and complete it on time and we shall also ensure you get timely payment”, Buzeki said.

Buzeki further noted that addressing issues relating to safety, environmental protection, and traffic management among others is very key in any infrastructure development in the city.

The contractors raised different issues ranging from delayed reallocation of utilities, acquisition of right of way as some key issues hindering their work.