Service improvement money at work

By PAUL MINGA
IN the five years of a Parliament terms the 22 governors and 89 open MPs use their service improvement funds in rolling out different infrastructural developments and other vital impact projects and services in an effort to change the livelihood of their people and the image of their provinces and electorates.
This is no exception for the Member for ljivitari and Vice Minister for Foreign Investment Richard Masere – who is also doing his utmost best in aiming to get a number of his 2017 campaign promises fulfilled for the people of his constituents. The first term MP does not give the excuse of his five year term as not enough time as other MPs might do.
In fact he has achieved more than any other past ljivitari MP in comparison. Unfortunately he was not been able to spread ‘the goods’ to the whole electorate as several communities within ljivitari are yet to see their MP’s assistance due to either funding shortfalls, isolation or the sheer magnitude of the task.
Places and communities that are easily reached have at least benefited in one way or another from what their member has delivered or done over his term in office in the current parliament. But the truth is not everyone has seen, accessed or have benefited from those services, using or enjoying what Masere has delivered for the electorate.
To please everyone and to address every community of their plights, needs and wants is something impossible for every elected MP. But as the saying goes “something is better than nothing”. What Masere has done in his capacity as the incumbent Ijivitari MP maybe more than what some of his colleagues MPs from around the country have achieved within the same period using the same amount of money available to them – who knows?
Two of the more significant impact projects Masere undertook using the national government’s K10 million yearly budget allocation of DSIP funds meant to change the livelihood of the ljivitari communities and people are two rural electrification projects from Jakarata to Girua and from Girua to Kukuma.
Another impact project that has put smiles on the face of recipients in the electorate has been the distribution of roofing iron sheets and the installation of solar lights for Popondetta town and a number of communities within the electorate. The roofing iron distribution is an ongoing project that will continue into the future for others who have missed out this time.
The constructions of Tufi and Kauseda aid posts are other projects people from these two communities are now using. The road for Seva, Kauseda, Bunasenanda and Kevoto have been and are now enjoyed by PMV operators and the villagers.
Bus stop shelters in town near Wing Hay and Best Buy shops are another set of services delivered for the public as well as the people from the constituency – with the second one near Wing Hay almost into its final stage of construction.
Several trucks have been purchased for various communities and institutions in the electorate which have enabled flexibility and smooth movement of people, students, health workers and cargoes from one place to another.
Amongst trucks for various institutions and communities in the electorate was a dump truck for Popondetta Town Authority to use for the removal of rubbish and to do other jobs.
For several coastal communities who daily rely on sea transport to bring garden produce and marine products to town markets, Masere has provided boats. These communities have also been also assisted with fishing nets to get involved in SMEs with and to provide protein for families.
The ljivitari MP also supported SME interest groups and individuals with funding support to a supplier for his constituents to get day old chicks and stock feed to venture into poultry projects.
Taking into account the list of projects, goods and services the current Ijivitari MP has accomplished, it is an indication that Masere has achieved much for his electorate but maybe not everything he would have wanted do.
As some might say, everything cannot be achieved overnight and for everyone.

• Paul Minga is a freelance writer.

A Bus stop in Popondetta Town