Arua receives Shs3b for road rehabilitation
A grader works on Ediofe Road in Arua Municipality. This one of the several roads that will be rehabilitated through funding from the World Bank.Photo by Felix Warom Okello
What you need to know:
The World Bank-funded project comes with stringent guidelines on quality and accountability.
Arua- The World Bank has released Shs3.02 billion for the rehabilitation of roads that are in a sorry state in Arua Municipality.
Some of the roads in the municipality lack designated vehicle stops, while sewage lines and drainage channels are run down.
The Town Clerk, Mr Francis Byabagambi, is optimistic about the development. The four projects that will be tackled in the first phase of the project will cost about Shs9.7 billion.
“Within the five years of the project, we should be able to generate high revenues, improve lives of the people out of the projects we will do,” he said while addressing municipal council development forum at the weekend.
The funding, however, has stringent conditions attached. For instance, the public is urged to forward complaints about any suspicious shoddy work or mismanagement. Additionally, underperformance due to mismanagement will result in cutting the funding.
“This is the biggest funding for the Municipality and so we will be strict with issues of accountabilities. And whoever fails to perform when contracts are awarded shall be blacklisted,” Mr Byabagambi said.
The municipal engineer, Mr Godfrey Alionzi, told Daily Monitor that some of the projects include construction of three roads to tarmac and a modern abattoir.
No compromise on quality
“We will ensure that quality is not compromised on the works and value for money is ensured,” he said.
Mr Alionzi added: “The community access roads would also ease transportation of goods to the markets which would eventually improve on our revenue.”
Municipal council authorities have been battling with some communities opposed to opening roads.
But Mr Joseph Anguyo, a resident of River Oli Division, said the public should look at the benefits of roads first. “Roads are important because
link areas and markets easily.”
THE PROJECTS
1. Idi Amin Road-0.5km
2. Enyau Road -1.1km
3. Lemerijoa Road-0.9km
4. Modern Abattoir
5. The council is also preparing to clear slums within the municipality Arua lobbies for a city status.
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