One Ugandan constructor with a number of contracts in Western Equatoria was asked to leave Yambio in six days by the County authorities due to allegations of preferential treatment raised against him by the business community in Yambio.
Francis Obetti, who spent six years in Western Equatoria State, received a letter describing him as an illegal foreign constructor.He told Anisa Radio via telephone that the Yambio Chamber of Commerce conducted a meeting and asked him to stop working in the County and leave.
Mr Obetti heads the Ugandan community association in Western Equatoria State.
He said he has three contracts: one with the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio to build the altar for the centenary celebration in Mupoi; another with the state ministry of Agriculture; and the third with Solidarity with South Sudan to extend the teachers’ college.
Justin Gizaza, the chancellor for the Catholic diocese of Tombura-Yambio, said his office received a letter from the County Chamber of Commerce requesting him to release Mr Obetti from any construction with the Diocese.
He added that the diocese paid 38,000 pounds to the Ugandan constructor to build the altar in Mupoi and he has used the money to buy materials.
Fr Gizaza said the materials were ready but the constructor was asked to leave Yambio in a short period of time.
He added that he visited the Chamber of Commerce office to discuss the issue but did not get clear information.
Fr Gizaza said the diocese decided to look for another constructor to speed up the construction of the altar for centenary celebration in Mupoi on December 12.
Anisa FM visited the Chamber of Commerce offices but no one was ready to talk about the expulsion.
Yambio County press secretary Emmanuel Logala said he had nothing to say about the issue of the Ugandan constructor.