AYIVU DIVISION COUNCIL IS SET TO CONSTRUCT A 3.89 BILLION OFFICE BLOCK

By Kaleb Yiiki

Arua

Ayivu Division Council in Arua City, has prioritized embarking on the Construction of the Division Office block in Onduparaka that is estimated to Cost about 3.89 Billion Ugandan Shillings.

Sitting on 19.5acres of Land located at Okaliba Cell, Adalafu Ward, Ayivu Division in Arua city, Ayivu Division Council plans to establish an ecofriendly Office space including structures such as Mayor’s Garden, Administration Block, a Hospital, a mini-stadium, a Commercial Center, Police Headquarters, Market, among others. Ayivu Division Council, sourced for the Services of Newton Technical Services Limited, the lowest Bidder for the engagement, to make the Designs for the Office Block at the Cost of 100 Million Shillings.

The Office of the Mayor and the town Clerk, Ayivu Division, called for a stakeholders’ engagement meeting at the division Head Quarters to recommend a befitting office structure for the Division; with the draft plan presented by an architect from Newton Technical Services Limited.

The Stakeholders strongly recommended that the storied Office block should consider inclusion for persons with Disability. While presenting the draft proposed plans for Ayivu Division  Office Block to stakeholders at Ayivu Division Council Hall in Onduparaka, the consultant Architect Ashaba Shebwa, presented plans and Visual Impressions, for two different types of Office buildings with one building Costing about 3.89 Billion while the other building costing about 3.7 billion shillings.

Draecabo Trinity Ceaser the President City Development Forum for Arua City recommends that the consultant designs an office block that is having an open office space since this will reduce the Corruption scandals and plan for CCTV Cameras in all the offices so that the supervisors should be able to monitor activities in the offices in order to curb unnecessary staff absenteeism at work place. “Citizens come freely when they know that transactions are done in an open arena; so I would love to see that the design should provide for more open space to accommodate more staff of the same department in a room”. He commended. 

Atiku Bernard, the Chairman Land Board for Arua City says Ayivu Division with time, will be divided into two Divisions; Ayivu East and Ayivu West, but there needs to be a starting point for this Growth. He continues to advise the council not to compromise quality because of lack of resources because government has unlimited access to resources. He encouraged council members to even market the office block construction project to other partners so that the office block is that one which is long-lasting and attractive. “The future of Arua City lies in Ayivu Division, therefore, Ayivu Division should set the pace for proper well organized development”. He recommends.

Ashaba Shebwa, the Architect with Newton Technical Services Limited says, according to him, the Consultative Meeting was a successful one because all the key stakeholders that were required to participate and give in their views were represented including; Division Councilors, Technical Staff, Political Representatives, administrators; who all gave in their inputs. He continues to say that these stakeholders, while giving in their views, did not vary with each other, and that, what was omitted, everybody was able to identify and what needs to be added, all of them agreed upon without controversy. “We are going back and within ten days, we shall incorporate all that were suggested to be added and include all that was omitted and then return to give a final presentation.”  He promises.

Angudubo Emmanuel, the Town Clerk for Ayivu Division says, they plan to carry out more consultative meetings with stakeholders before the final plan of the Office block is approved and to see areas where costs can be reduced or maintained. He intimates that as per the discussions all the Stake holders unanimously decided to recommend the office block with a flat roof as compared to the one with a heaped roof. “We shall go by the Choice of the Stakeholders because that was the sole reason we invited them for this consultative meeting.” He asserts.

Meanwhile, his worship Hon Malon Avutia, the Mayor for Ayivu Division says, Friends Development Agency is already formulating the designs plans for the Mini Stadium and Onduparaka the Market, and that Ayivu Division Council has already approved a budget to fund the construction works with the source of funding is Conditional Grant (DDG) which cannot be allocated for allowances. He continues to say that the procurement request for the construction works will soon be placed for Bidders to respond to the call. He also reveals that as division Council Leaders they are already planning to go and visit the His Excellency the President for funds to this effect. “I want to promise you that in the next financial year starting first July 2023, the key component of our budget is executing the construction of the office Block.” He assured. 

Alice Akello, the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Arua City, castigated the Councilors and elders in Ayivu Division by presenting contrary views during council sittings. He urged the Councilors not to fight developmental programs but rather embrace developmental programs that come in the Division. She however, promised to lobby for resources to realize the office block dream. “Councilors, you are the First Parliament of Ayivu and therefore, the Office block construction is your baby, thus you need to guard it jealously.” She urged.

COVER PHOTO: Stakeholders in a group Photo By Kaleb Yiiki