Pader district chairperson has ordered a supplier who was illegally contracted by some district officials to supply cows to certain groups under the project of the Third Northern Uganda Social Action Fund (NUSAF-3) in Pukor sub-county as a result of substandard work.
The NUSAF-3 groups whose members reportedly received blind cows last month are Loyocak Animal Traction, Gangba Animal Traction and Abung Animal Traction, all in Pukor parish, Pukor sub-county found in Pader district.
Simon Oroma, the chairperson of Loyocak Animal Traction who is among the beneficiaries says when they realized the animals were blind, information was sent to district veterinary officer, Dr Okeny Robert but no response was materialized.
Oroma adds that they were told by the NUSAF focal person that the financial year was ending, and they needed to hurry in purchasing the animals, and so, they did.
However, Bosco Otto, the supplier says he bought the animals and gave them to the groups under the veterinary officer’s inspection when they were healthy from Buliisa district at Shs.840,000 only each.
Bosco added that he was not informed about the blindness of the cows he supplied since he brought them while in good shape.
“The community did not contact him about the blindness of the animals until I was called by a journalist and later heard it over the news,” Bosco added.
According to Bosco, he is able to withdraw the blind animals and bring good ones to replace the 7 blind cows as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Fearless Obwoya Oyat, Pader district chairperson says all the animals that were supplied are of poor and substandard quality as per the guidelines.
Fearless added that the animals supplied are not worth Shs.850,000 as per the receipt of payment. He continued and said that the animals are on an average of Shs.350,000 and he is really disappointed with the NUSAF focal person (Toolanya Anthony), Otto Bosco (Supplier) and the veterinary officer, Robert Okeny.
Fearless later ordered all the animals which were brought by the supplier to be taken back including the blind ones.
Dusman Okee, Resident district commissioner for Pader says the Ugandan government is doing enough for its people but our very own people are letting the project go and increasing the level of poverty.
Okee added that all other NUSAF-3 animals will have to be inspected before they are given to the beneficiaries. He further adds that such kind of bad supplies is not supported by the government.
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