National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has blocked a multi-million shilling project on Pece Channel wetland in Laroo division, Gulu Municipality.
The 320 Million shillings project was being funded under Northern Uganda Social Action Fund phase 3. The project is being implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu District LCV Chairperson said the Laroo Storm and Drainage NUSAF project was blocked due to lack of Environmental Impact Assessment report.
Mapenduzi explained that NEMA had demanded an environmental impact assessment before the project is given a go-ahead. Mapenduzi said there has been no such report.
The wetland was to be turned into a public park.
The NUSAF project an initiative of slum dwellers in Limu is to comprise of four fish ponds, a green area, a drainage system and a public square
In December last year, a whistle-blower tipped Silvano Afayo, the NEMA Regional Wetland Coordinator for Northern Region who later ordered the project be stopped in order to allow an Environment Impact Assessment to be done first.
Afayo threatened that if implementation of the project is not suspended those involved can be dragged to court for degrading wetland.
The project was immediately suspended.
