Serere District is stuck with medical equipment worth 210 Million Shillings following the delayed completion of a maternity ward at Kamod Health Centre III in Kasilo Town Council.
The contract to construct the maternity ward was awarded to Tona Uganda Limited on April 7, 2021. Moses Okello Oyoga, the Chairperson Health Unit Management Committee at Kamod HCIII says that the ward was supposed to be complete by the end of 2021.
However, the contractor has only built the wall and roofed the building. Oyoga says that the contractor was last seen at the site on December 28.
Oyoga says that they are worried that the delivery beds, weighing scales, fridges, drip stands, and others that are lying at the district headquarters may be diverted to other health facilities.
According to Oyoga when the supplier of the equipment found the building incomplete, the equipment was dumped in the education boardroom.
Sam Odeke, the Kasilo Town Council Chairperson says that there is no communication from either the district or contractor about the progress of work. He, however, wants the medical equipment delivered to his office as they wait for the completion of the facility.
Richard Ariko, the contractor says that the company faced several challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic that delayed the works and payment. He, however, says that the work will resume.
Gabriel Atama, the Serere Chief Administrative Officer said that the contractor is still within the agreed period of work but declined to give any details.
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