IDPs threaten to storm DC’s office

By Allan Kisia

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hamisi District have threatened to protest against the Provincial Administration, who they accused of delaying their dues.

The chairman of the IDPs Stanley Mavisi said they will demonstrate if the DC George Okello fails to intervene urgently.

"We will go and camp at the DC’s office until we get our money. They may shoot us, but we will not rescind our resolve," he said.

He claimed the Government was willing to give them their token, but some officials have not been co-operative.

"We are giving the local provincial administration until the end of this month failure to which we will act," said Mavisi.

He said parents need the money to take their children to Form One.

"A student, who scored 386 marks, is unable to report to Lugulu Girls because of lack of money. The parents need the dues for their daughter to report to school," he said.

Mavisi said many parents who were affected by the post-election violence were struggling to pay school fees for their children.

He said the number of IDPs in Hamisi is 452 households with about 5, 000 people.

He said they were paid Sh10,000 last July and told they will receive Sh35,000 later.

Mavisi further accused the Provincial Administration of tampering with the list of beneficiaries.

"About 40 people were removed from the list. We were not consulted or told why the names were deleted," he said.

Efforts to reach the DC for comments were fruitless because he could not be reached on telephone.