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By Julius Mugaga/ KMA Updates.
Kampala, Uganda: Newly revamped service bay has been officially commissioned at Ministry of Works and Transport, build by Vivo Energy Uganda.
Uganda’s Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala walked through the red carpet to officiate Service Bay Launch. Photo by Ronald Kabuubi.
The five year partnership between Ministry of Works and Transport and Vivo Energy Uganda will see improved safety in vehicle service operations, control and better handling of consumables, and reduced maintenance cost.
Gen. Katumba Wamala (1stL), Works and Transport Minister in a Group Photo with Stakeholders. Photo by Ronald Kabuubi.
While presiding over the commissioning ceremony at the Ministry Headquarters, Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister for Works and Transport believes that the newly revamped service bay will do a lot in improving the condition around transport sector in the country.
This has come one day after the Uganda joined the globe to commemorate the International Women’s Day where he congratulated them upon unfound success reached at.
Gen. Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Works and Transport Minister addressing the congregation. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,” which is appropriate, as women’s role in social and economic development is critical. To ensure a “sustainable tomorrow,” efforts towards Women’s Empowerment for Resilience and Adaptation against Climate Change need to be enhanced. Continuing to examine the opportunities and constraints to empower women and girls to have a voice and be equal players in leadership, climate change, and decision-making is essential for sustainable development and greater gender equality. Without gender equality today, a sustainable future and an equal future remain beyond our reach.
Uganda supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal, which works towards achieving gender equality and empowerment among women ( SDG5).
Gen. Katumba Wamala (1stL), Works and Transport Minister , Johan Globbelaar (1st R), the Managing Director Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd in a Group Photo with Stakeholders. Photo by Ronald Kabuubi.
Katumba noted that the project to revamp the service bay and other engineering projects within the Ministry, which have been led and executed by Lady Engineers, and other technical personnel, are among the strides towards engaging women in previously male-dominated work/disciplines.
He commends private companies, including Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) like Vivo Energy Limited, for their contribution to National Development. Minister believes that the Private Sector immensely provides employment to Ugandans (including formal and informal jobs), delivers critical goods and services, and contributes to tax revenues and the efficient flow of capital.
He adds, Uganda’s political and economic environment, which has been consistently improving and stable since 1986, has been a critical catalyst for private sector competitiveness at a time when the National Development Plan (NDP III) emphasizes the active participation of the private sector in National Development.
He therefore says, the revamp of the Ministry’s Service Bay by Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd, including the supply of lubrication equipment system and a metered air tyre inflation system at no cost to the Ministry, will ensure enhanced availability of the fleet and hence the smooth execution of our mandate.
Gen. Katumba Wamala (C) with lady engineers at the Ministry of Works and Transport. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
Gen. Katumba Wamala (C) posses with awarded ladies for their works at the Ministry. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
He says Ministry of Works and Transport bleads GoU’s Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services Program and is mandated to have in place a seamless, safe, inclusive and sustainable multi-modal transport system for Uganda saying a sound and well-maintained motor vehicle fleet is pivotal for attaining this overarching mandate.
He also believes the optimization of fleet maintenance costs is critical as the Government grapples with allocating meagre resources for its critical activities.
He applauded Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd and Ministry of Works and Transport teams who executed the project for a job well done and to Vivo in particular for the offer and their participation with the Ministry in previous Road Safety initiatives and says they’re looking forward to even a stronger, mutually beneficial relationship between our organizations.
Johan Grobbelaar, the Managing Director Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd commended the ministry’s acceptance to partner with them in executing the project. In a special way he expressed joy upon the Women who have been part of the project till its completion.
Johan Grobbelaar, the Managing Director Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd addresses the congregation. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
He confirmed to the ministry that the project will offer high quality fleet Management Services and are looking forward to upgrading the services after now and then regarding advancement in technology.
Globbelaar also informs that the project conforms to the international standards and environment.
He says current, Shell energies is operating 172 service stations countrywide and are looking forward to maintaining their long time quality service in the country.
Eng. Tony Kavuma, the Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Ministry of Works and Transport like the Minister re-echoed the importance of Women’s Day before he gave his remarks saying the project was led by Lady Engineers and other technical personnel from MoWT, Vivo, and the contractors.
Eng. Tony Kavuma, the Chief Mechanical Engineer at the Ministry of Works and Transport gives his remarks. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
As an official responsible for this docket, he gave Project background.
He says, Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd, an Oil Marketing Company that supplies Shell Petroleum Products to various customers, including the Ministry, made an offer to provide and install at no cost to the Ministry, a state of the art lubrication equipment system together with a metered air tyre inflation system for use at the Central Mechanical workshops. This offer was evaluated by management and was presented unanimously approved by the Ministry’s Top Leadership (TLT) on 9th December 2020.
Subsequently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and Vivo Energy was prepared, discussed, and signed by the end of August 2021. Refurbishment works started in September 2021 and were expected to take only two months. He says however, this was not achieved due to the following challenges, among others,
COVID-19 lockdown and limitation on the number of employees expected at work.
Scope of work changes, e.g, working on the floor (Terrazzo) approval and work commencement.
Use of space around the service bay for other key Ministry activities, e.g., meetings.
Noise levels of the floor crashing machine where only night works were allowed.
He says prior to installing this new system at the Service bay, most operations (lubricants requisitioning, handling, filling into vehicles, etc.) have been mainly manual. Vehicle servicing operations are exposed to spillages, wastage of lubricants due to human errors, and attendant housekeeping challenges.
The installed Fluid control system is equipped with the following; (1) An Air compressor,(2) Pneumatic pumps, (3) Horse reels, (4) Dispense meters with solenoid valves, (5) Waste oil receivers, (6) Operator control unit, (7) Dispenser management unit, (8) Computer system, and (8) Tyre pressure unit.
He says the floor around the service has been upgraded to terrazzo, and other finishing works, including painting and branding, have been done.
He noted that the system will be effectively used to service the Ministry vehicles as a pilot project in anticipation that its success will culminate in inviting other stakeholders and MDAs to service their vehicles from the Ministry.
Vivo Technical Team has informed him about the following advantages of the system,
- Technical;
- Lubricants dispensed through hose reels.
- Metered control.
- Minimal pilferage-contamination.
- No spills.
- Readily available reports.
- Operational;
- Easy product handling.
- Customized configurations.
- Used oil collection is eased.
- Cost saving.
- Time saving.
- Staffs receive training.
- Metered air unit
- Convenient location to repair punctured tyres.
- Readily available when needed.
He believe that this newly installed system, together with other support, for example, in the area of product knowledge, will continue to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship between our organizations.
Mr. Waiswa Bageya, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Transport did not divert from other speakers in commending the glorious works of Women in Uganda especially in the Ministry following their celebrations that happened yesterday when Uganda joined the entire World.
Mr. Waiswa Bageya, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Transport addresses the gathering. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
He commended VIVO Energy Uganda Ltd for always being the top supplier of fuels, oils and lubricants to this Ministry for over 15 years, even when it was still branded Shell Uganda Ltd.
He congratulates all stakeholders; Ministry of Works and Transport and VIVO Energy Uganda for all services rendered and achieving this milestone, which is recommended for replication in other deserving MDAs to improve efficiency in vehicle fleet management.
He mentioned some constraints which hinder Uganda’s development being gender inequalities, negative attitudes towards work, mindsets, cultural practices and perceptions. He says these must be addressed in order to achieve sustainable and equitable development.
He believes this can only be addressed through partnerships at different levels between men and women, as well as partnerships between various sectors and actors in the development process as it is physically evidenced here at the Ministry.
Joint officials from Ministry of Works and Transport and Vivo Energy Uganda Ltd cuts the Cake. Photo by Julius Mugaga.
He informs that the whole project was spearheaded by the Assistant Commissioner/Inspection who is a lady. Among those who were trained to do the service of vehicles was a lady too; thereby ensuring that gender balance is mainstreamed into the Ministry’s operations.
We need to build partnerships to enhance access and utilization of the available technical services, also to address the challenge of poverty and move into a transformed and prosperous era, Waiswa says.
To VIVO Energy, he was delighted for the kind offer of the State of the Art Service Bay and Ministry’s team that have worked closely with VIVO Energy Uganda to make this happen.
He affirmed Ministry’s commitment the Memorandum of Understanding and to do everything possible to ensure that the Service Bay operates to its full capacity and extending business to VIVO Energy Uganda as it has been in the past.
He pointed that they shall also recommend the installation of similar facilities with other deserving MDAs, once we are satisfied with the operations and benefits of this Service Bay.