By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives has renovated its offices located at Farmers’ House along Parliamentary Avenue.
Under the stewardship of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Geraldine Ssali, the facility’s two floors have been renovated and fitted with new office furniture, doors, windows, electrical systems, plumbing systems, internet connectivity among others.
The 59 Year old, Farmers’ House which was built way back in 1964 by Lint Marketing Board, has been in a sorry state which has been putting government documents and staff at a huge risk of fire and health-related risks, thus compelling Ssali to inject in millions for its facelift. Close sources however revealed to our Spy that parliament recently released over ugx5billion apparently to shift the offices to much more befitting offices and building fit for the 21st century to house such a vital Government office, but Ssali in her wisdom decided to renovate the current offices.
This website has since learnt that Ssali recently handed over the two completed floors and is yet to embark on the renovation of other two floors which houses her ministry and other government agencies.
Ssali has since applauded all the key partners and the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Trade for funding the project to completion noting that the facility will safely house government documents and records for the Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Co-operatives requested for supplementary budget from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED) in the first quarter of FY 2021/2022. This request had critical unfunded priorities including revamping cooperatives, and improvement of the staff working conditions by securing accommodation at a cost of UGX.5 billions among others.
Whereas the issue of securing accommodation was such a critical and urgent issue, the funds were approved in the 1st quarter, in August 2021, however Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MoFPED) made the actual release of the funds (UGX 5 billions) at the end of the financial year in April 2022 as part of fourth quarter cash limits at the 4th quarter, no procurement process for accommodation premises could be undertaken in such a short time.
This implied that the Ministry was constrained by time to carry out all necessary activities required to facilitate the procurement and expenditure of the funds before the expiry of the financial year and also expected to absorb the said funds otherwise they would be returned to the Treasury as required by law under non-absorption of Funds.
Some Of The Photos Of The Newly Renovated Floors
