Mr Hillary Onek, the Minister of Relief and disaster Preparedness has said that his ministry does not have enough money to compensate Gulu main market vendors who were consistently affected by fire outbreak in 2013 and 2014 at the temporary site in Kaunda ground they have occupied to pave way for the reconstruction of the market.
Mr Onek who is also the Member of Parliament for Lamwo district told Acholi times that, “The little resources my ministry has is always prioritized on natural calamities like landslides and floods adding that the money has also never been enough.”
Mr Onek said his ministry cannot even provide money but can support with relief items like blankets, tents, Jerricans and other household items.
“Ii they want money that is now the level of the president and they will have to convince the president because I don’t give that,” Mr Onek said.
Mr Onek however said that he had pushed the matter to the office of the prime minister and in the next financial year, if the money is granted his ministry will make sure he gives the money to Gulu main market vendors.
The market vendors have always complained to the Minister of disaster that when Owino market in Kampala caught fire, government responded but that the same government had neglected their case yet they also have loans.
The minister however said that money was directly from the president and never from his ministry.
During the opening of Gulu main market, Mr Opiyo Geoffrey Obama the chairperson Gulu main market vendors association told the president that they should be given at least a period of 4-6 months grace period as they enter the newly constructed market because they incurred a lot of losses in two fires that struck and also need government to support them financially.
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