World Bank inspects cities, municipalities road works under USMID project
News
The World Bank is cautioning municipalities on the need to ensure quality works and Safety on new roads it is funding and still under construction across the country.
This was emphasised by Martin Onyach Olaa, the Task Team Leader- USMID at the World Bank, who are conducting the on-spot field inspections of the new cities and municipalities roads.
Keep Reading
World Bank this week embarked on a mid term review of the USMID project which cost $510 million.
"Drainage works, construction and finishing must be properly done, than what we are currently seeing. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists together must be safe," Olaa said.
The World Bank team advised Lugazi Municipality to have plans of maintaining the street lights and to ensure they are standardised to enable easy maintenance after the project cycle of funding.
There should not be any parking on the pedestrian walkways. It undermines the essence of constructing the walkways which is safety, the World Bank team said.
Lugazi Municipality mayor, John Bosco Asea said the programme has transformed the town.
"People wonder where the funding us coming from. Lugazi is now shining. Our vision is to make Lugazi the green municipality of Uganda given that Mabira forest is within Lugazi. This (USMID Program) has been very useful," he said.
The tarmacking of the 19km municipal roads within Lugazi Municipality is being done by Sterling Civil Engineering Limited.
The contractor said126 people are employed in the project.
Among the challenges being faced by the contractor in Lugazi Municipality include; delay in moving or relocating utilities such as water and power lines to enable construction works to proceed as per schedule.
Lack of a supervising consultant for the roads project which entails fresh carpeting or tarmacking, drainage and walk ways as well as street lighting.
Waste management also remains of concern undermining better hygiene and sanitation within the municipality, according to the progress update.
Local authorities said additional funding to the municipality could enhance a better living and working environment.
