By Chris Woo
Benson Walter Dilla, the LC5 Chairman of Oyam District, has threatened to take the lead and sue the government for delaying to pay ex-gratia for LC1 and LC2 chairpersons in the newly created town councils in the district.
Dilla made the statement recently at the launch of a 7.6 km road rehabilitation project stretching from Minakulu-Amwa Lwala-Ocwa trading centre, which is being undertaken by Oyam district woman MP, Santa Alum Ogwang.
“When we brought the Minister of Local Government here, he asked us to wait as he presents this issue to parliament; therefore, I am pledging you that when it reaches June this year without your payment, I will take the lead in taking the government, Minister of Local Government, and Attorney General to court over this ex-gratia payment,” Dilla said.
This came after Celestino Omac, the chairperson of LC1 and LC2 of Minakulu sub-county, cried out about their delayed ex-gratia payment that has lasted for four years.
“I would like to tell the district chairman that even the Minister for Local Government came over this issue, but we are seeing no impact – what is happening? To MP Alum, a salary of 10,000 shillings is almost nothing these days. Please talk to the government so that our salary can be increased,” Celestino Omac requested.
Santa Alum Ogwang, the woman MP of Oyam district, pledged to support the district authority about the plan to sue the government over the matter.
“MPs with a louder voice in Parliament count me among them, and when it comes to the pressing needs of the community, I always stand firm for my people; therefore, I am urging the district officials to go to court over this payment. I am in full support,” MP Alum said.
According to a report, the LC1 and LC2 chairpersons of Kamdini, Loro, and Iceme town councils have not received their ex-gratia payment since 2021.
