Govt releases sh270b for Standard Gauge Railway project

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Government has released $75 million [about sh270 billion] to kickstart construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project as the finance ministry continues to negotiate with financing partners.

The project coordinator, Canon Engineer Perez Wamburu, said the released funds is part of the government’s commitment to show seriousness and build confidence amongst the different stakeholders.

In March this year, Uganda signed the Limited Notice to Proceed (LNTP) with Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi, paving the way for the commencement of early works.

Ministry of Works and Transport Permanent Secretary, Bageya Waiswa, and Yapi's Uganda Representative, Mert Oz, plus SGR Uganda chief, Can. Eng Perez Wamburu, signed off the pack in Kampala.

On Wednesday (June 4), the Standard Gauge Railway project coordination team, led by Wamburu, introduced the contractor of SGR Yapi Merkezi JV & consultant SSF JV to Tororo District stakeholders.

Urging stakeholders at the council chambers to embrace the project since it’s a game changer to Uganda's economy, Wamburu also introduced teams from the Turkish contractor Yapi Merkezi team, plus the SSF Joint Venture, who are the project consultants.

The team then took the contractor on a tour along the corridor right from Kilometre Zero along river Malaba as they headed towards Kampala.

Wamburu said that the contractor has already set up a coordination office after the project kick-off meeting on April 14.

The contractor, he added, is expected to start mobilising equipment and team, carry out engineering designs, design the railway route, identify the sources of local materials, construct labour camps, establish concrete batching units, build a concrete sleeper factory, route survey and training of the local community.

President Museveni, in November last year, launched the Malaba-Kampala project construction, which he said would significantly lower the cost of doing business. Works were expected to be completed within a period of 48 months from the time of the launch.

Mert Oz, the project contractor Yapi Merkezi, said the project has a lot of positivity since it's going to be a serious game changer in terms of doing business and the creation of employment. He promised to apply their vast technological expertise by delivering quality work, having done the same in neighbouring Tanzania.

He said Tororo is going to benefit a lot in terms of infrastructural development, like the biggest motioning yard in Malaba, where cargo will be classified, big mechanical works and a railway station.

He added that they are going to prepare designs that match international standards for the electrified railway system. He assured the locals of employment opportunities, which called upon the district to help them identify and clear those who would qualify.

Wamburu also told the stakeholders that compensation for 59 Project affected persons (PAPs) was delayed because of a lack of a clearance assessment report by the ministry of lands.

'It makes us happy'

The chief administrative officer, Gabriel Atama, reiterated their commitment to support the project progressively and smoothly without any encumbrances.

"The project is something that makes us very happy, and it will be part of our work to make sure that the community is mobilised for social and economic development,’’ Atama said.

The district vice chairperson, Rebecca Akumu, called upon the project coordinator to ensure that the remaining 59 project affected persons are duly compensated.

The deputy resident district commissioner, Albert Amula, called upon all the parties to embrace the projects because it’s a serious game changer, adding that remaining compensations should be expedited.

Kenneth Orono Nyapidi, the Tororo municipality mayor, expressed readiness to support needed by the contractor to carry on their work.