Unequal Road Allocations Spark Controversy in Arua City
In a recent development that has caught the attention of residents in Arua City, the allocation of funds for road maintenance has become a subject of controversy in the newly created West Nile regional City of Arua as controversies arise over the allocation of funds to the two city divisions. The city of Arua comprises two divisions: Ayivu and Central.
However, According to reports, Ayivu East and West constituencies received a substantial sum of 180 million shillings each in the first release for road maintenance. Additionally, Ayivu East received 214 million shillings for a road network spanning 64.4 kilometers, while Ayivu West was allocated 172 million shillings for its 51.8-kilometer road network in the second release.
On the other hand, Arua Central Division was given only 58 million shillings in the first release and an additional 87 million shillings for an 18-kilometer road in the second release. This has sparked discontent among the residents and their representative, MP Jackson Atimalee Butti, who believes his division deserves a more substantial allocation.
Arua central division MP, Hon. Jackson Atimalee Butti, has expressed his disappointment over the road fund allocation for Arua city's road maintenance. The discontent stems from what he believes to be an unfair distribution of funds between the two divisions in the city. As the controversy unfolds, Arua residents find themselves questioning the rationale behind the allocations and how they will impact their daily lives. Let's delve deeper into the issue and explore the arguments put forth by the stakeholders involved.
Arua central division MP, Hon. Jackson Atimalee Butti Speaking to Dailywestnile.info
According to reports, In the first release of funds for the financial year 2022-2023, Ayivu East and West constituencies received a substantial amount of 180 million shillings each. The second release saw an additional allocation of 214 million shillings for Ayivu East to work on a 64.4km road network and 172 million shillings for Ayivu West to undertake 51.8km of road works. These allocations seem to be in proportion to the length of the roads to be maintained, as argued by the area member of parliament for Ayivu East, Geofrey Feta.
In contrast, Arua Central Division received a significantly smaller sum of 58 million shillings in the first release and only 87 million shillings for an 18-kilometer road in the second release. MP Jackson Atimalee Butti contends that this allocation is unjust, asserting that the central division deserves a larger share of the funds.
Arua Central Division has a total of 35 short roads slated for maintenance. While the division's roads may not be as lengthy as those in Ayivu East and West, they are crucial for the smooth functioning of the city and deserve fair consideration for funding.
One of the primary points of contention is the difference in the length of the roads designated for maintenance in each division. Ayivu West and East divisions boast a combined total of 23 roads, whereas Arua Central Division has a more extensive network of 35 shorter roads that require attention. This has led some to argue that the central division should receive a more substantial allocation to address the higher number of roads in need of repair.
In defense of the disproportionate allocation, Ayivu East Member of Parliament, Geofrey Feta, pointed out that the roads in his division are significantly longer than those in Arua Central. This, he argues, justifies the larger share of funds for Ayivu East and West. However, this explanation has not been well-received by those advocating for fairness and an equal distribution of resources.
In Pic, Ayivu East Member of Parliament, Geofrey Feta
On the other hand, proponents of the current allocation system argue that distributing funds based on the length of roads in each division is a fair approach. They posit that longer roads require more resources and funding to ensure effective maintenance, which justifies the larger share received by Ayivu East and West divisions.
The unequal road fund allocations in Arua City have sparked a heated debate among its residents and stakeholders. While Ayivu East and West divisions received substantial sums to tackle their longer road networks, Arua Central Division laments what it perceives as an unfair distribution. As the city grapples with this issue, finding a balanced solution that meets the maintenance needs of all divisions is of utmost importance.
The road committee's decision-making process and criteria for allocations should be transparent and open to scrutiny to build trust and promote equitable development across the city. Only through dialogue and cooperation can Arua City ensure that its road infrastructure caters to the needs of all its residents.
Author: Anwangkani Franco, Dailywestnile.info
