Shoddy road work: Amolatar locals put engineer on notice

Amolatar | Residents of Apalepee ward Amolatar town council have protested the shoddy work done on Okunokom-Corner resort road.

Despite criticism, the above road network is nearing completion.

They claim that sets of road equipment are frequently removed from the roads and never returned, so they cannot allow contractor to roll the road with grass on it.

The angry residents vowed that if the engineer fails to correct the damage done to the road as promised, they will mobilize and march to his office in large numbers.

Martin Obong, councilor representing Apalepee ward and a team leader, proposed that an agreement on when the road equipment will be returned and what will be done on the road be presented to the community.

He added that the road is the only alternative route in the town council that cannot be handled lightly.

Geoffrey Gregod Etum, chairperson LCIII for Amolatar town council, stated that what has been done is alarming. He has given the engineer one week to correct the situation on the road.

Leo Ongora, the town engineer, acknowledged the shoddy work on the road and promised that the road equipment would return within a week.

He stated that prior to the resident raising concerns, they had identified the poor work, which the residents referred to as “a false play”.

The RDC and DPC offices had to intervene to calm the situation that the residents had created.

SP Christopher Katumba, the DPC of Amolatar, told the angry locals that the poor state of the road does not resemble a town council.

Francis Okello Odoki Rwotlonyo, the RDC also told the aggrieved residents that they are tired of corruption in the district and that many projects are failing due to corruption.

He stated that such complaints will be treated with kindness beginning in January 2025.

Residents have also filed a case against the engineer at Amolatar Central Police under GEF 28/2024 for mismanagement and theft of road funds for the fiscal year 2023/2024.

This case is currently under investigation.