LIRA– A section of Lira City councilors are calling for the termination of Shs 35 billion contract for the upgrading of five major roads in the city under Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development programme , funded by the World Bank.
The councilors, Mike Ogwal, Mugisha James, Ogwal Bala, and Patrick Awongo said the company, Abubakari Technical Services in a joint venture with M/S Al-Nuami Group (consultant) was awarded the contacts last year but has failed to deliver.
The roads contract was awarded in 2021 and was due to run for 15 months, which expired on August 10, 0222, but the contractor has not completed the work.
The roads which were undergoing reconstruction include Uhuru Park, Obangakene, Bala, Noteber, Olwol, Boundary road including Children Park at Adyel and completion of Coronation Park.
The project started in 2013 in 14 municipalities which include Fort Portal, Hoima, Kabale, Mbarara, Arua, Lira, Masaka, Entebbe, Jinja, Tororo, Mbale, Soroti, Moroto and Gulu.
In 2019, it added eight more, Lugazi, Kasese, Kamuli, Mubende, Apac, Kitgum, Ntungamo, and Busia to make a total of 23 municipalities.
Its target was to enhance institutional performance which includes revenue collection, and service delivery among others.
Mike Ogwal said the contract expired without most of the work being done, arguing that authorities should not risk giving the contractors extra time.
The company, according to the city engineer Freddie Owiny requested for an extension of 11 months for them to be able complete and hand over the roads.
The contractors cited challenges such as an increase in construction materials, COVID-19 disruption, and heavy rains among others as the major factors.
But the councilors said only 30 percent of the work has been done by the company and there is a possibility that even if they are given additional time, they will not finish.
“There is nothing our people will benefit from this project because the company has failed and people are not convinced,” Awongo said.
Eng. Owiny said they are studying the contractor’s reasons for asking for more time to complete the work.
https://thecooperator.news/gulu-city-to-spend-50-6-percent-of-2022-23-budget-on-roads/
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