NWSC MD Mugisha, PPDA ED Turamye speak out on procurement corruption allegations.
PPDA carried out a comprehensive performance audit on the matter, in accordance with the law. PPDA report returned a raft of measures and recommendations that NWSC management and Board, have since acted on fully. NWSC is currently developing its own prepaid meter technology, based on experiences we have had with prepaid meters
Drake Nyamugabwa
Following media reports about the allegation of a stalled probe into the dubious procurement deal between National water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Boss together with his counterpart in The Public Procurement and Disposal Authority (PPDA) where the two are said to have interfered with investigations of a purchase of prepaid meters that developed functionality problems, the official under contention have dismissed allegation as malicious lies aimed at tarnishing their names.
A cross section of workers at NWSC and a whistle blower had asked the Inspector General of Government Betty Kamya to revisit the investigations for blocking a 17bn Investigation Into NWSC Dubious Procurement Deal.
The whistleblowers want the IGG to probe the Executive Director Public Procurement and Disposal of assets Authority (PPDA), Canon Benson Turamye and his counterpart at National Water and sewerage corporation (NWSC) claiming the two were allegedly involved in blocking an investigation into a dubious procurement deal where NWSC procured water prepaid meters with functionality issues at a cost of Shs17 billion.
It is alleged that PPDA Turamye ignored the investigations into the Shs17 billion NWSC procurement deal and instead exploited how he could benefit from the dubious procurement deal. The whistleblowers allege that it is these stalled investigations that led to the fallout between former NWSC board chairman Eng. Christopher Ebal.
On the other hand, the rest of PPDA investigators have never forgiven Turamye for aborting the investigation of the Shs17 billion dubious procurement and are calling for a hammer to fall on his head. Turamye is accused in many several other dealings.
Contacted for a comment, PPDA Boss Turamye distance himself from the allegation and said that his lawyers are working on paperwork to sue those he believe are behind the allegations.
“I have already instructed my lawyers to sue for defamation, character assassination and mudslinging you must have seen similar stories last week. All are lies” he said.
Turamye was appointed Executive Director of Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) by the PPDA board in 2019 after serving in acting capacity for two years. He replaced Cornelia Sabiiti, who left the authority in 2017.
In his statement, the MD NWSC Dr Silve Mugisha said that in the said allegations, after the said procurement of the meters talked about, the meters developed fucnionality challenges which he said was unusual. He said that NWSC took administrative measures with the supplier to mitigate any financial loss including withholding equivalent payments to the supplier.
“Since this matter has been thrown into public domain, i prefer to relay facts, first: NWSC procured prepaid meters for Government institutions about 8yrs ago. The meters (and systems) developed functionality challenges within 2yrs of operation, which was unusual. NWSC took administrative measures with the supplier to mitigate any financial loss to the corporation. This involved withholding equivalent payments to the supplier and cashing performance security” the statement partly reads
Mugisha added that when the matter was raised, PPDA carried out a performance audit and a raft of measures were acted upon by NWSC. He said that currently NWSC is developing its own meters.
“About 3yrs ago, PPDA carried out a comprehensive performance audit on the matter, in accordance with the law. PPDA report returned a raft of measures and recommendations that NWSC management and Board, have since acted on fully. NWSC is currently developing its own prepaid meter technology, based on experiences we have had with prepaid meters” he said
As Managing Director of National Water and Sewerage Corporation, Dr. Eng. Silver Mugish doesn’t see his mission as turning around the state utility so much as pumping more safe water for the people of Uganda.
Eng. Mugisha has recently been elected the first African Vice president of the board of the International Water Association. He also has over 20 years’ experience in water utility operations, international policy, research and advisory services.
Eng. Mugisha believes in NWSC championing and implementing transformational changes in the water sector in Uganda. Systematic upgrade of infrastructure, laying of new water supply mains, rapid geographical expansion, prudent financial management and a strong focus on customer delight.
