By Tasia Doreen

Moyo

Residents of Otce Sub County in Moyo district are seeking for additional UGX: 24 Million for completion of the sub county Administrative block. Through a project dubbed as self- help, the residents of the Sub- County through their leaders agreed in meeting to contribute funds for the construction of the sub county headquarter offices as they await for financial support from government. The members have so far raised a total of 9.5 million shillings which has been used for walling stage of a four room house.

When Radio Pacis visited the area, it was learned that each adult community member in the sub county is required to UGX: 2000 towards the construction of the new sub county office block. Currently the administrators of the sub county are accommodated in a rented house, which they said costly couple with poor local revenue performance.

According to Mr. Dulu Samuel, the local council 3 chairperson of otce sub –county local government, the idea to create to cut cost in terms rent, but also create more space for the sub county staff who are currently accommodated in the same rented room.

He added that they are currently lobbing for 24 million shillings complete construction works of the new temporary Sub County headquarter block through community support. ‘‘I want to take this opportunity to appreciate the members of the community for supporting self-help initiative project which was made for the construction of the temporary office structure as we wait for funding from the central government’ ’he said.

Mr. Okuga Anthony a resident of the sub county encouraged the locals to continue supporting the sub county towards the construction work to avoid future disruptions from the landlord of the current block since they are not certain of when the government will provide funds for construction of the administration block. ‘‘Now that the government is not ready, lets us contribute towards this development to benefits us as the local people, where will the sub county operate from for instance if the landlord also wants to use his house ’’, Mr. Okuga said.

But however a section of the community members in the sub county protested the move saying, it’s the mandate of government to construction offices for the new administrative units. Mr Opini victor a residents of the area has hailed the leaders for such initiative. He said poverty level is high among the locals, so it’s unfair to impose such money on them. ‘‘As an individual, I don’t buy the idea of the locals’ construction for the sub county, the government is aware and know where the sub county is, we are not the ones who created the sub county, so it’s very wrong  and a form of corruption” ’he narrated

The sub county is currently grappling with multiple challenges ranging from human resource to logistical challenges among others crippling administrative operations.

Mr. Williams Anyama, The chairperson Moyo district council commended the sub county officials and community members for the local initiative saying government does not have enough to provide all the needs of her people in relation to service delivery. ‘‘If we enhance local revenue we can also do certain projects on our own, we should continue promoting such initiatives since the government depends of the people’’, he pointed.

However another resident who preferred anonymity disputed the initiative pointing that it’s the role of the community to construct the administrative block for the sub county.

Otce sub county local government was curved out of Metu County in 2019 to easy service delivery to the citizens. Other new administrative units in Moyo district includes, Aluru Sub County, Lefori and laropi town councils.

COVER PHOTO: Photo of the new block under construction. By Tasia Doreen