In a setback for the construction of the Mityana-Mubende road, progress has been temporarily suspended due to financial constraints. The Shs 395 billion project, which kicked off in April 2021, was expected to be completed two months ago but is currently 50 percent complete.
Energo Projekt Nishogradnja, a Serbian civil engineering and contracting company, was undertaking the works. In an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Allan Sempebwa, the acting Uganda National Roads Authority spokesperson, addressed the situation.
He clarified, “The contractor has not abandoned the project as some people are claiming. The challenge we had was largely due to cash constraints and that has affected the progress of work and productivity.”
Contractor and Uganda National Roads Authority
Mr. Sempebwa further added, “However, we will be resuming that project soon, especially managing the surface improvement on the road, drainages, and all other aspects of the project.” He did not provide a specific date for the resumption of works but assured that efforts were being made to secure the necessary funds to complete the project. The exact amount of money required to finish the construction was not disclosed.
Highlighting the commitment to road safety, Mr. Sempebwa mentioned that the contractor was taking measures to manage the safety components of the road, including dust suppression.
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by heavy traffic and the current hot weather conditions. He stated, “We have a lot of traffic on the road, even the dust suppression efforts may not be bearing much fruit because of too much traffic and the current hot weather. So, the contractor is going to be springing water every hour to address that.”
Mr. Sempebwa also called for caution when using the road. A tour of the project site on Tuesday revealed that no visible civil work was ongoing, and some of the equipment was parked at Kakungube swamp in Kassanda district.
Dust impairs visibility and leads to accidents
Local resident Mr. Ashraf Nkanja shared concerns regarding the impact of dust on motorists’ visibility. He reported, “When it is windy, the dust impairs the visibility of motorists, leading to accidents.
Our people die every day at Kakungube swamp. Three school children have been killed in the past three days by speeding vehicles.”
Despite the current financial setback, the Uganda National Roads Authority remains dedicated to resolving the cash constraints and ensuring the timely completion of the Mityana-Mubende road. The aim is to deliver a safe and reliable road for all users.
Check also;
- Parliament Approve Govt’s Request To Borrow Shs1.2tn For Roads
- Gov’t Suggests Shs2.2 Trillion Loan Request To Fix Greater Kampala Roads
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