IGG to probe Entebbe airport project

Kampala. A citizen has petitioned the Inspector General of Government (IGG) seeking an investigation into the alleged employment of unqualified personnel in the ongoing construction works for the Entebbe airport expansion project.
In a September 26 petition to the IGG, Mr Peter Oryema contends that the laxity in the project management by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the supervising consultant has enabled the contractor deploy unqualified technical staff, thus compromising quality of workmanship and timely delivery.
“As required for any standard construction works contract, the contractor is supposed to have therein a schedule of proposed technical staff that possess the minimum stipulated experience and qualifications to guarantee the project will be delivered as specified,” reads the complaint.
Government embarked on the project after securing a $200 million loan from the Chinese government and contracted China Communications and Construction Company (CCCC) for the works while Lebanon firm, Dar al-Handasah, is the supervising consultant.
Ms Ali Munira, the IGG spokesperson, yesterday confirmed receipt of the complaint.
“We received the complaint today (yesterday). It will be reviewed to find the merits of the complaint to decide if the matter is for investigation or not,” Ms Munira said.
Mr Oryema also accuses the contractor of exploiting the loophole in the contract as it does not have to spend on salaries demanded by the qualified staff.
Mr Oryema contends that government is bound to lose not only by getting a substandard product, but also pay for prolongation costs.
He contends that despite the foregoing omission from the contractor, CAA is supposed to demand from the contractor a team of qualified professionals with experience of at least two to three projects under their belt to deliver such work.
“The omission in the contract should not be used to blind the country to the obligations the contractor has to deliver the project using qualified professionals. CAA and the consultant have elected to acquiesce with the contractor allowing him to save money on employing the rightly qualified staff thus compromising the quality of work,” further reads the petition.