PARLIAMENT TO PROBE MULONI OVER KARUMA, ISIMBA DAMS

Energy minister Irene Muloni (2nd left), her Tanzanian counterpart, Prof Sospeter Muhongo (2nd right) and Energy permanent secretary Kabagambe Kaliisa (left) after signing the oil pipeline project. File photo  

By Isaac Imaka

Parliament- Members of Parliament yesterday resolved to form a nine-member committee to investigate minister for Energy and Minerals, Ms Irene Muloni and the permanent secretary, Mr Kabagambe Kaliisa, over the controversy surrounding the construction of Isimba and Karuma hydro-electricity dams.

The MPs’ decision arose from a motion moved by Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo contending that the alleged defective works on the two power dams is a result of chronic breach of contractual obligations and reckless implementation of the Community Development Action Plan.
“A joint sectoral committee of Physical Infrastructure and Natural Resources be set up to urgently investigate the conduct and the role of the minister and permanent secretary ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the shoddy works on the Karuma and Isimba projects,” the motion reads in part.
The motion
The motion followed a Daily Monitor expose about how the companies constructing the two dams are using defective materials, which has caused cracks on the structures.
The select committee will be named on Tuesday next week and will be expected to deliver its findings within 45 days.
The MPs believe the shoddy works are a result of corruption by officials in the ministry.
The Karuma dam project expected to produce 600MW, was awarded to Sino hydro-corporation of China in 2013. The project is estimated to cost Shs5.7 trillion of which China finances 85 per cent.
Similarly, Isimba, a 183 MW project, will cost about Shs1.4 trillion and is being constructed by China International Water and Electric Corporation. It is financed by a loan from China’s Exim Import Bank.
In justifying the motion, Mr Ssekikubo argued that the dams are being constructed on loose soils of river deposits and the contractors are using inferior material.
Usuk County MP Peter Ogwang castigated the Energy minister and her permanent secretary, calling them a disappointment to Uganda. He reminded the minister that Parliament “has the mandate to censure ministers if they are found liable for a mess.
The Natural Resources committee chairperson Alex Byarugaba tried to put a spirited fight against the motion for forming the select committee on account that his committee was already handling the same matter.
“I want you to consider the morale of the members on the committee. The time they have put in. All these things being raised in the motion are what we are handling and the Speaker has just given us permission to go and visit the dams,” Mr Byarugaba said.
However, his fellow MPs brushed him off, saying he already has a lot on his plate and should not fight to have more.
Other issues
The cracks and shoddy works on the dams notwithstanding, what riled up the MPs was the submission that there are over 2,000 Chinese working on the two power projects and that the aspect of hiring local labourers had been ignored, with the Chinese even rearing their own pigs for beacon or roast pork.
Both Ms Muloni and Mr Kaliisa were not readily available for a comment by press time.
SOURCE: DAILY MONITOR