KALAKI-Kalaki district has received a boost of Shs 300 million from the Office of the Prime Minister [OPM] for the rehabilitation of a-9.5 kilometre stretch of a road connecting the sub-counties of Bululu and Ocelekura.
This was disclosed by Francis Emalu, the Kalaki district engineer during road monitoring exercise by the district roads committee led by the Kalaki district Woman MP, Jennifer Ayoo Nalukwayo who also doubles as the chairperson of the district roads committee.
Emalu said that they are going to carry out grading, culvert installation, drainage works, and spot graveling among others.
The road has been in a very deplorable state for many years, adversely affecting the socio-economic activities and living conditions of the people.
Emalu attributed the inability of the district to work on the road and others to limited funds.
According to him, the district receives Shs 430mln from the central government for road works.
Emalu explained that the money is not enough to cater for the construction and rehabilitation of 400.9 kilometres of roads in the district.
“The problem of limited funding is coupled with lack of road equipment, which has forced the district to borrow equipment from the mother district of Kaberamaido.”
Meanwhile, the provision of funds to rehabilitate the road is a great relief for the people of Bululu and Ocelekura sub-counties as works are expected to begin in two weeks’ time.
Jenifer Achen a produce dealer from Obungure village in Bululu Sub-county bemoaned the difficulties they face while transporting their farm produce to market centres and how they were compelled to sell their produce at cheap prices because their area is hard-to-reach.
Peter Okello, a boda rider who plies Bululu-Ocelekura road told this reporter that the road has been a nightmare.
According to him, motorists are forced to spend several hours maneuvering through potholes and slippery roads whenever it rains.
He added: “Imagine this stretch from Bululu Sub-county to Ocelekura Sub-county is less than 10kms but motorists spend close to an hour traveling between the two sub-counties because of the many potholes.”
Okello lauded the government for providing money to rehabilitate the road, adding that it will facilitate the free movement of goods.
Mary Aleso, a farmer from Oleo village said rehabilitation of Bululu-Ocelekura road would be critical to the local economy since the area was virtually the food basket of the Kalaki district and beyond.
“Rehabilitating the road would open up the area to other parts of the district especially; market centres, and improve the livelihoods of the people.
Aleso challenged the government to continue to improve on-road infrastructure in Kalaki district to boost farming which is a major source of livelihood.
Meanwhile, MP Ayoo Nalukwago asked the people to bear with the central government saying it is committed to improving the roads in the country.
She charged the district to expedite the road rehabilitation works.
On other hand, the Kalaki chief administrative officer, Christopher Okumu directed the district engineer to ensure contractor to be awarded the road project does standard work.
“I don’t want shoddy work in any of the projects and whoever will attempt to do shoddy work will be dealt with accordingly,” Okumu warned.
https://thecooperator.news/miirya-sub-county-grappling-with-poor-roads/
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