In a bid to eliminate inefficiencies in planning and ensure effective monitoring on infrastructure contacts, a new online Infrastructure Monitoring Tool (E-IMT) has been developed to assist on timely gathering of project and contract information, enabling timely feedback and collect evidence among other functions.
The E-IMT was developed by CoST, a UK based charity organisation with a Uganda chapter, championed by Ministry of Works and Transport.
It’s an aimed at improving transparency and accountability in public infrastructure.
During the launch of the E-IMT and commissioning of the 4th Assurance Process held at Urban by City Blue hotel in Kampala on Friday 21st February 2020, the Minister of State Works, Dr. Peter Teko Lokeris, said that the online tool will enhance stability in accessing information which he says will facilitate participants through useful feedback to Government and help citizens understand government activities and built trust in government agencies and other stakeholders.
“Open knowledge is crucial to development in the interest of both the government and citizens. The online monitoring tool will help in monitoring the processes in capital projects by providing real time information to inform decision making,” Lokeris said.
He called upon all stakeholders including government agencies, local government Administration among others to embrace the tool and upload contract information into the online portal.
The Senior Regional Manager-Africa, CoST International, Gilbert Sendugwa, said that from the survey that was done by CoST in 2017, the findings indicated that citizens don’t trust government especially in infrastructure projects due to partly because they don’t have information.
He said that when CoST works with Government, the gap of mistrust is reduced.
Sendugwa added that The E-IMT will enable public agencies to upload information on projects and update it any time and any interested party can access it to know the status and progress among others.
By Drake Nyamugabwa
