Two arrested for misappropriating PDM funds in Amolatar

5 June 2024, 10:40 pm

By Alphonce Odur Ojok

Chief Administrative Officer Amolatar, Paul Mbiwa, noted that despite the significant government investment, the mismanagement of funds by SACCO leaders necessitated the commencement of audit inquiries. Mbiwa added that Parish Chiefs and Community Development Officers (CDOs) found guilty of malpractice would face arrest and suspension from their duties. He further confirmed that two Parish Chiefs and one CDO had already returned the embezzled funds.

Geoffrey Occen Kiring, the District Chairperson of Amolatar, expressed bewilderment at their exclusion from the PDM program. He recalled instances of misappropriation, such as the arrest of individuals in Aputi for giving money to an unsound person, underscoring the need for accountability. Kiring urged anyone involved in the mismanagement of funds to surrender themselves to the nearest police station, emphasising that the funds were intended to assist the less fortunate but had been diverted to civil servants and SACCO leaders.

Kiring cited an example of a woman in Muntu who received 14 million shillings, an amount that could have benefitted 14 individuals. Felix Adupa Ongwech, a member of the NRM party, criticised those who had misused government funds while simultaneously denouncing the party. Adupa highlighted the public’s grievances regarding high-ranking officials mishandling public funds, contrasting it with the prevalence of corruption at lower levels. He pledged that all individuals involved in the misappropriation of government funds would face legal consequences, urging them to surrender themselves to the authorities promptly.

The RDC confirmed that the detained individuals are Adir Denis, a mobile operator in Amolatar town, and Nancy Akello, the wife to Mayor of Amolatar town council, also a mobile money operator. They would not be released and would be prosecuted in court.

The RDC also added that so far, 41 SACCOs have been summoned to the police for investigation.