Lira, Uganda | The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Lira City East Division, Odongo Stephen, has directed a halt to all payments for road construction projects funded under the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant (DDEG) for the 2024/2025 financial year, raising concerns over inflated figures in the Bills of Quantities (BOQs).
In a letter addressed to the Town Clerk of Lira City East Division, Odongo expressed alarm at what he described as unjustifiably high costs embedded in the BOQs submitted for the current infrastructure projects.
He stated that the decision to stop disbursements was necessary in order to protect the integrity of the procurement and budgeting processes.
He further pointed out that the disbursement of funds should not proceed under questionable figures and emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive and transparent review of the BOQs.
To mitigate the risk of financial loss, the Deputy RCC recommended the immediate suspension of all related payments.
He proposed the formation of an independent technical committee tasked with thoroughly reviewing the BOQs, evaluating the appropriateness of the cost estimates, and reporting their findings.
According to Odongo, the committee should be composed of representatives from the engineering department, procurement unit, internal audit, and civil society organizations to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and objectivity throughout the process.
Odongo also underscored the importance of public involvement in promoting good governance.
He urged residents of Lira City East Division to engage in the review process by providing feedback and oversight, noting that this would help ensure that the development projects address actual community needs.
He stated that citizens are entitled to services and infrastructure that reflect the true value of the allocated resources, adding that oversight should not be left solely to government officials but should instead be a collective responsibility.
The payment freeze has received mixed reactions from stakeholders and the general public, with many welcoming it as a necessary step to prevent the misuse of public funds.
The Town Clerk is expected to issue a formal response outlining the next steps, including the formation of the review committee and the timelines for completing the review process.
The affected road projects are part of a broader initiative under the DDEG aimed at enhancing infrastructure, improving connectivity, and facilitating service delivery across Lira City East Division.
The move reflects a growing emphasis on financial accountability in local governments across Uganda, where concerns over corruption and mismanagement of development funds remain prevalent.
