Tolit Ivan
For interest best known to them, Gulu City councllors on Thursday betrayed the trust of the community and stealthily unanimously surrendered Pece Wetland in Green Valley Cell to Oil Energy Company to establish a fuel station.
Mega Fm has learnt that the motion to grant the land to the company was moved by Andrew Ogwetta, the Councilor V for Laroo-pece North Division and seconded by Ojok Denis Agela, the Male councilor representing Persons with Disabilities.
According to reports 15 councilors unanimously supported the motion that was presided over by the Deputy Speaker Lamex Akena.
Mega Fm has also learnt that the council meeting was convened purposely to surrendered Pece Wetland to Oil Energy Company. Rubangakene Daniel Boyica, the Youth Councilor City Council, defended their actions saying the company had all the necessary documents including title.
But Alfred Okwonga, the City Mayor, who was not part of the meeting criticized the councilors for betraying the position of the council and the government.
Ambrose Onoria, the Gulu Resident City Commissioner, has blamed corruption for the unfolding event, a vice he says is eating up leaders from the region.
William Lubbuulwa, the Public Relations Officer, The National Environmental Management Authority was not available for comments over the matter.
For starters, in 2021, 2022, 2023 Gulu City Council blocked the same company from establishing a fuel station in the area. On April, 29, 2024 the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) also halted the construction of a fuel station on Pece Wetland. On 26 March, 2024 Gulu Chief Magistrate Said Barigye also halted the establishment of a fuel station on the land.
Environmental experts have recently warned that the sale of the Pece Wetland is putting Gulu city at risk of flooding and will deepen the water crisis in the city coupled with the destruction of aquatic animals in the different wetlands.
Pece wetland is the biggest wetland in Gulu City covering 55.9% (1027 ha) of the total surface 1836.4 ha of wetland areas of the City. Pece stream provides natural sponges that trap and slowly release water, and reduce flood heights and erosion within the city centre.
