Panyimur Leaders Demand Accountability Amidst Project Woes

Leaders in Panyimur Town Council, Pakwach District, have voiced strong concerns over the implementation of government projects, urging civil servants to prioritize public interest over personal gain. This call for improved service delivery comes in the wake of resident and local leader complaints regarding alleged poor workmanship, lack of transparency, and potential misuse of public funds.

The situation escalated following the arrest of the Panyimur town clerk and two engineers on the orders of Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, after his visit to the area. The arrests were a direct response to numerous grievances concerning the quality and progress of projects, including crucial infrastructure like roads and a health facility.

Paramount Chief of Ker Kwonga Chiefdom, Rwoth Stanley Ombidi, highlighted issues such as alleged mismanagement of funds and a consistent failure to involve community leaders in project oversight. He noted that attempts to monitor projects were often met with resistance from technical officials who seemed to prefer working in isolation. Specific examples include the Panyimur Health Centre III, where despite a Shs2.9 billion allocation, the quality of work has been deemed substandard, with a collapsing ceiling in the maternity ward and a kitchen constructed with diverted funds, which has since developed cracks.

Similarly, Panyimur Town Council LC III chairperson, Pennuel Kerchan, expressed frustration over difficulties in obtaining project information. He cited a road project funded by approximately Shs900 million, where technical staff allegedly excluded him from the implementation process. Kerchan also recounted receiving conflicting information regarding the project’s budget, further fueling suspicions of opacity.

Both leaders stressed the importance of collaboration between technical staff, political leaders, and the community to ensure government resources are utilized effectively and benefit the intended population. The allegations of poor project execution and lack of accountability have cast a shadow over development efforts in the region.

This report is based on information from Nile Post.