By Eusukoit Cuthbert Otim.
Ministry of education and sports has finally responded to the chaotic saga that exploded in Katakwi district involving top political leaders who clashed over government allocation of resources.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Ketty Lamaro in a letter dated 22, Augast 2023 made clarity on the Education Consolidated Development Grant for Katakwi district Local government for the financial year 2023/2024, pronounced government’s position on the contentious matter.
Lamaro letter indicated that Katakwi District Local Government has an approved development budget of Ushs. 4, 248, 804, 792 for the Financial year 2023/2024 where the sum of Shs. 179 million has been allocated for the school facilities grant SFG, also known as the Formal based grant.
A sum of Ushs. 577 Million was earmarked for the steering of the Seed School in Toroma Sub – County, 1 Billion for the construction of Getom Seed School, 850 Million for Okore Seed School and 2 Billion for the construction of Akoboi Seed Secondary School.
“The Ministry also earmarked Ushs. 1 Billion towards the construction of Secondary School facilities in Okulonyo Sub – County, whereas on the issue of Ngariam Technical Institute, the Ministry will communicate after further consultations,” the letter stated.
This letter has forced the Minister of State for Education and Sports (SPORTS) Peter Ogwang to continue bickering pushing the electorates of his constituency of Ngariam to task the leadership of Katakwi to explain how some of their government programs were diverted especially the Ngariam Technical School.
The roaring Ogwang has placed accusations on some councilors for allegedly conniving with top political leaders whom according to him also diverted the health facility designated for Ngariam constituency.
He revealed this during weekend where he gave Shs 45 million to the village saving groups of Olela, Alogok and Osudan parishes.
“Some of these leaders are also voted for by Ngariam residents, but I am surprised seeing them organizing a group of councilors to convene an emergency council aimed at diverting projects that I have lobbied for people of Ngariam,” Ogwang stated.
The minister’s greivience follows the recent emergency council meeting convened by the Clerk to Council, Simon Esidai to purposely appropriate resources meant for the construction of a technical school in Ngariam Sub County and another seed secondary school in Okore Sub County to Usuk County.
Attached is the letter written by the permanent Secretary:
