Town leaders push for faster road works

ARUA- Arua Municipal Council and district officials have piled pressure on China Henan International Group Company Limited (Chico), the company contracted to construct the Shs6 billion 2km road in the town, to expedite the works.

The money is part of $160 million (Shs451b) World Bank loan to 13 municipalities through Uganda Support to Municipality Infrastructure Development.

The company signed a contract for the project in August last year and the ground-breaking ceremony by Mr Daudi Migereko, the Minister of Lands, was done three months later.

However, the work has not started, raising fears that authorities may have been duped by the Chinese company.

The town clerk, Mr Francis Byabagambi, said the work should be completed on schedule.
Residents and leaders led by the municipality development forum chairperson, Mr Peter Kamure Edema, said the delays might affect future projects.

However, the contractor’s representative, Mr Zhu Zheu Yuah, apologised to councillors on Tuesday for the delays, saying they were now ready to start.

“I am sorry for the delay of the work, we took a lot of time because we were mobilising the people and machines. The roads had been re-designed, we shall start with Idi Amin Road and Enyau Road will come later,” Mr Yuah said.

He also said utility service providers such as National Water and electricity suppliers had started relocating the lines.

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