Amolatar: council meeting highlights – Petition on budget execution and project concerns

31 March 2025, 12:24 pm

By Sarah Ejang

At a recent council meeting, Councillor Okao Kizito from Agikdak sub county submitted a critical petition to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) through the district speaker.

The petition centred on the draft budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, with Okao expressing concern over the apparent disregard by several department heads for council resolutions that are essential to the effective implementation of the district plan.

During his presentation, Okao highlighted a pressing issue at Agikdak Seed Secondary School. He noted that while the district council had approved the construction of an administration block, a science laboratory, and a ten-stall pit latrine, the ongoing work only includes the administration block, a multipurpose hall, and a two-stall pit latrine.

This deviation from the approved plans not only undermines the council’s authority but also compromises the quality of educational infrastructure intended for the students in the region.

Supporting Okao’s concerns, District Youth Councillor Male Orech John provided a firsthand account following a site visit to the administration block at Amolatar Secondary School.

He observed that during his visit, the contractor indicated plans to halt work at the beam level, raising serious concerns—particularly given that the council had allocated a substantial sum of 150 million shillings for the completion of the entire structure.

Such disruptions in project execution indicate a potential waste of public funds and resources.

In response to these alarming claims, Deputy CAO Vuciri Geoffrey acknowledged the seriousness of the issues raised. He emphasised the need for all stakeholders, including the district secretary, to work collaboratively with his office to ensure the meticulous implementation of council resolutions. Vuciri stressed the importance of adhering to the approved plans to prevent future discrepancies and to ensure that the needs of residents are properly addressed.

The meeting highlighted the urgent need for accountability among department heads and improved coordination within the district administration to enhance trust and effectiveness in service delivery for the benefit of the community.

Morish Ojok, a resident of Apokmit-Imogo A Cell, has called for a thorough audit to ensure accountability for district projects, many of which remain incomplete.