LIRA/LANGO SUB REGION: Hon Ojara Martin Mapenduzi the chairperson of Public Account Committee (PAC) on public service plus other members of parliament on the committee, have assured the Lira District Local Government authorities to embark on the forthcoming building of Ogur district headquarters.
While addressing the delegation of political and the technical team of both Lira district and Lira city authorities at the Lira district chambers last Friday, he said at the moment that the process to process the 1billion fund meant for funding the construction goes on there must be unity between the two team at both Lira city and district.
“Our meeting right now is to determine whether you need the money or not.
You have expressed that you need the money but you are also having a confusion demanding for another district.
If you need the money to build the district headquarters in Ogur,you have the land ,the land there is not having any conflict,that is what we want to hear”Said Mapenduzi Ojara.
According to Ojara the plan for the district headquarters must be ready by now.He added that the chairman LCV must also make sure he is also really ready enough with the architectural plan among others.
Mpenduzi said’ if this money is released by next quarter,we will expect you to spend the money before the end of the financial year,that is, June next year.
“From what l have seen Mr chairman you need to speed up a bit in case you are given next quarter”Said Ojara
He said this year Soroti is supposed to receive 800 million they received sh1bn last financial year.
What if in future we end up starting
You are overwhelmed with issues and you do not
Ojara advised the technical team of Lira district that,for example neither Lira District nor Lira City owns the present council Hall which indeed is going to remain for the people of Lira.
‘I would like you to look at what Jinja is doing and the kind of the District headquarters that Kabarole district is building as of now.
As per the several government land located in Lira district and Lira city raised by the two sides, Ojara advised that, whether they are under the Lira city or under Lira district boundary,the land should be kept safe so that in future it supports development.
Lira district and Lira City must be positioning themselves to attract every ministry of government to build their regional base or branches in Lango sub-Region for a closer accessibility of services by the people’Added Ojara.
He continued that the leaders should remember that Lira district and Lira City are corporate bodies.
Meanwhile Ojara added and warned that the land we have is not for sale and above all ,all the land belonging toLira city or Lira district has to be titled.
“On what asset will remain with you in Lira City,on what asset the district will take is a matter that will be decided by the centre”Warned Marthin.
The LCV chairman of Lira district Mr Okello Orik Cox said they wanted Iwal and Ngeta Sub-counties taken back to Lira district.
However,Lira City Mayor Sam Atul welcomed the move by PAC chairman Mapenduzi and other committee of Public service members on several pieces of advice by the committee as they gear towards working together.
Very soon the selected leaders of both Lira district and Lira City will travel to Kampala to meet ministry officials over the matter for a way forward.