IGG warns contractors against shoddy work

An artistic impression of the IGG offices that have been launched for construction. 

By AMOS NGWOMOYA

Kampala- The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Justice Irene Mulyagonja, yesterday launched the construction of the Inspectorate’s offices but cautioned the contractor against doing shoddy work, which could lead to the termination of the contract.

The contract of the 15-storey IGG office building was awarded to the Joint Venture of Roko Construction Limited and Roko Construction (Rwanda) Ltd.

“We have moved around the country and found shoddy work, which was done by several contractors on certain government projects.

Please do not disappoint us. Ensure you do quality work. As IGG, shoddy work is part of the things we probe and therefore we do not tolerate it,” Justice Mulyagonja made the remarks while handing over the construction site on Yusuf Lule Road and Clement Hill Road to the contractor.

Justice Mulyagonja asked the contractor to stick to the terms of the contract and put up a structure which was approved by several government departments including Cabinet and Ministry of Finance.

The Shs69.9b project is expected to take 36 months and is fully funded by the Government of Uganda. The building will also have three parking levels with capacity to accommodate 205 cars.

When completed, the IGG institution will be relieved of the Shs7b burden it has been spending on rent annually on their current Kampala offices.

Warning bidders
During the event, the IGG warned some of the losing bidders who she accused of submitting forged documents during the procurement process. She said her office is currently investigating them.

However, she declined to give details of the companies, arguing that their identity would jeopardise investigations.

The official handover of the construction site put to end a two-year tedious procurement process following a number of petitions from dissatisfied bidders, who claimed the IGG had flouted the procurement laws to award the contract to Roko.

In an interview yesterday, the IGG director of Legal Affairs, Ms Sarah Birungi, dismissed the claims that they had flouted the procurement processes.

“We first did groundwork to evaluate Roko’s performance on the projects they have handled both in Uganda and Rwanda. All the construction certificates showed that they were capable of executing the project,” she said.

Some of the construction projects, which Roko is currently undertaking include the new Parliamentary Chambers, Kisekka Market and the redevelopment of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium.

The managing director of Roko Construction Ltd, Mr Mark Koehler, assured the IGG of quality work, saying they have assembled a team of construction managers, who have previously handled other multi-billion projects both in Uganda and other countries.
“We want to do a good job, which will not only give the IGG reputation but also our profile. We will not let you down,” he said.
angwomoya@ug.nationmedia.com