Members of Parliament sitting on the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) have questioned the manner in which officials of National Information and Technology Authority (NITA) illegally renewed a Shs 6.6 billion internet contract to SOLITON.
It is noted that the Authority extended the contract to run the National Data Transmission Backbone (NBI) for 10 years, without consulting the Ministry of ICT despite the Ministry having issued a directive allowing for awarding of contract for 20 years but in a phase of only 5 years.
James Saaka, Executive Director NITA defended the illegal extension of contract noting that the authority was undergoing some financial constraints and wasn’t able to run the services as an authority.
The Ministry Permanent Secretary, Vicent Bagiire noted that indeed after a thorough study, the Ministry recommended to have the services contracted out for 20 years, but in phases of five years which NITA overlooked.
When asked to explain the circumstances that warranted the ten year explanation, Saaka failed to explain and on over three occasions, the Committee had to adjourn to allow him consult his juniors.
The committee was later interested in the Ministry official who is a representative on the NITA board on why he didn’t advise the board against taking a decision that was against the Ministry orders.
The Commissioner Information Management Services Kenneth Bagarukayo the Ministry attaché to NITA Board said that the contract was extended while he had just joined the board admitting that he wasn’t in position to advise the board accordingly.
The Solicitor General Francis Atoke, also found hard time to explain why he approved the extension of the contract, in total disregard of the earlier provisions.
With the MPs hardly getting responses to the questions raised, the meeting was adjourned with NITA being ordered to put their explanation in writing.