The road route to Nyagak 1 powerhouse that supplies power to the West Nile Sub-region has become so impassable and bushy. #WhisperEyeNews
Nyagak 1 powerhouse situated in Ngia Village Nyapea Sub-county Zombo District became operational a decade ago.
Currently, the place is under the management of the current power service provider The West Nile Rural Electrification Company ( WENRECO).
Under the social cooperate responsibility, this Publication understands that WENRECO folk Ugx 5 million annually for maintenance of the road that stretches from Uganda Prison Paidha in Paidha Town Council via River Nyagak and connects to the Main road at Mathawele village in Nyapea Sub-county.
Moving from Paidha Town Council to Ngia Village where Nyagak 1 powerhouse is located caught us with a lot of surprise and shock, given the bushy and impassable nature of the road.
Apparently, coupled with the pounding rain the area is experiencing, the road is laced with gulleys and big stones, a poor drainage system and above all tall grass and bush.
“This road is more like leading us to a garden” my fellow journalist joked.
The only initiative that catches the eye of everyone is Nyagak Foot Bridge which is just a stone’s throw from Nyagak 1 powerhouse. The footbridge was on May 4 this year, commissioned after it was predominantly constructed by the community around the Nyagak catchment area with some support from well-wishers.
Understandably, the road that is a handrail to workers of WENRECO, residents is under the docket of the Zombo District local government.
The LC1 Chairperson of Gira Cell Oturgang ward Paidha Town Council, also the chairperson of the association of united local council 1s around Nyagak catchment area Pascuali Ovoya has blamed the appalling condition of the road on the negligence of the District leadership.
He also accused the LCV chairperson of Zombo, The District Engineer and The chief administrative officer of demanding a quotation of Ugx “50 million shillings from WENRECO to work on the road.
” This road is very important not only for WENRECO but for all residents here but the District is not caring about it. We understand that the LCV chairperson Sent The District Engineer to bring their quotation demanding Ugx 50 million from WENRECO so that they can send their grader to come and work on this road, I went to the General manager of WENRECO in Arua and confirmed the truth, what kind of leadership is this, this is total corruption ” he told this Publication during a short community dialogue organized at Ngia Village Nyapea Sub-county last week.
Peter Okethi, a resident of Ngia Village expressed disappointment saying “It’s quite unfortunate that the road is like this, we have the source of electricity here but they don’t even mind working on it”.
Geoffrey Udhur, The clan chief of Gira said: ” I’m totally surprised that the road is like, I wonder why we vote for these leaders, By the way, this road leads to Nyagak powerhouse that supplies electricity to westnile -subregion”.
The road grants access to Nyapea Hospital, Paidha Main. Market, Paidha Health Center III, Schools amongst others.
This road and footbridge were not included in the components of the then work at Nyagak 1 powerhouse according to the former state Minister of Energy Eng Simon D’Ujanga.
Nyagak 1 powerhouse attracts learners from different schools in West Nile who throng the place more often for study purposes. This Publication understands that learners are forced to trek long distances as they leave their vans behind because of the impassable roads.
WENRECO speaks out.
During a recent community dialogue at Ngia Village, Vincent Bwire the Plant engineer of WENRECO at Nyagak told locals that the total quotation the District recently demanded from them was Ugx 50 million to work on the road.
He added that as a company, they have an annual budget of Ugx 5 million for maintenance of the road beyond which they can’t afford.
” I went to District recently to ask for machines, by then they said they don’t have the machines like bulldozers and they need to higher from Arua, The total quotation that included the bulldozers, and culverts amongst others were Ugx 50 million and we couldn’t do anything about it” Bwire told local leaders at a community dialogue organized by the community along the Nyagak catchment area last week.
Meanwhile, a staff of WENRECO said: ” The Potholes are many In case of emergency or sickness, sitting someone on a motorcycle is very hard and even if it is a vehicle it goes slowly, by the time the person reaches the hospital, the person would have lost life, They really need to do something about the road because it’s not helping us alone but the locals too”.
Practice like sand mining by locals has been also pinpointed as one of the factors worsening the condition of this road has elicited a torrent of frustration amongst locals.
Recently, The state minister of Northern Uganda Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny for the 13th Coronation anniversary of Alur King at Parombo Town Council in Nebbi called upon the district leaders to effectively use the Ugx 1 billion funds allocated to them for the maintenance of roads by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
District responds
The LC5 chairperson of Zombo James Oruna Oyullu said the plan to work on the road is in the offing.
He added that the road and Nyagak Footbridge were recently inspected by officials from the Ministry of Works and Transport pending feedback.
Asked about the 50 million quotations, he briefly confirmed it but noted that he doesn’t have clear information about it.
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