Plans are underway to buy him a new ride, according to sources
By Ceaser Okello
Lira – 2, November 2021: The Lira district Local Council Five Chairperson (LC5), RCM Okello Orik has refused the official vehicle given to him by the office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
TND News understands that the district chair is currently using his own “small vehicle” for doing government works.
Okello Orik succeeded veteran politician Alex Oremo Alot. He took over office in May 2021 but declined to use the official vehicle previously used by Oremo.
Later, CAO Ben Ogwete Otim gave him a double cabin with registration No UG 3195R. As if he was a drama actor, Orik again rejected a driver who was assigned to former chair, Oremo Alot.
This publication’s investigation reveals that Orik came with his own driver. This driver left the official vehicle into s serious mechanical problem, sources told this publication.
Because of his importance to the district, CAO again assigned another vehicle belonging to production department for the district chair. Sources say after like a month, “It got spoiled again.”
For good months now, Lira LC5 chairperson is using his “small vehicle”. Unconfirmed reports indicate that “all the heads of departments in Lira district have refused to give him any vehicle accusing him of spoiling government vehicles”.
Some heads of departments who preferred anonimty told TND News that the driver who was brought by the district chairperson “has got no experience”.
One head said, “He may cause mechanical problem to most of the district vehicles.”
“I have never spoiled any government vehicle,” Orik told TND News’ Ceaser Okello.
He added that “all the two vehicles that were assigned to me were in bad condition yet my office needs a brand new vehicle since it is full of travel in and out side the district”.
“I have resorted to using my private vehicle for doing government works and the district is not giving me fuel and allowances,” the NRM party “son” revealed.
According to him, there are some technical staff in the district who are very jealous against him, adding that he will continue using the driver he brought.
Why? “Bcause i am not trusting all the drivers i found in the district.”
Boniface Omara is the leader of government business for Lira districi. He said the district council has resolved to procure a new vehicle for the districi chairperson since most of the present ones are in sorry states.
“He travels to long distances and going to government ministries. He needs a new vehicle,” Omara said.
Francis Okello Olwaa who is the communication officer, Lira district said no heads of departments have power to assign a vehicle to the district chairperson apart from CAO.
“The office of the chairperson needs a vehicle that has not been used for more than five years. The district is planning to buy a new one soon,” he told us.