Works minister seeks sh50b for bridges

Sep 26, 2011

Works and transport minister Abraham Byandala is considering tabling a supplementary budget request before Parliament seeking sh50b for emergency repair of roads and bridges that were recently damaged by rains countrywide.

BY PAUL WATALA

Works and transport minister Abraham Byandala is considering tabling a supplementary budget request before Parliament seeking sh50b for emergency repair of roads and bridges that were recently damaged by rains countrywide.

“We need more funds for emergency repair of foot bridges and feeder roads. The challenge is that the ministry has no money to work on all these bridges and roads at once and only a supplementary budget can save us,” Byandala said.

Byandala said he would table the request before the Cabinet for discussion.

He was touring Bulambuli district last week. He also visited the scene where over 26 people were buried by landslides and appealed to the residents to accept relocation.

“The Government has no intention of grabbing your land,” he said.

Byandala added that children were seated at homes because they could not access their schools while farmers had abandoned their gardens because of broken foot bridges.

“The Government is going to buy culverts and work will begin soon,” he said.

He said Bulambuli alone needed about sh2b for immediate repairs, adding that some equipment had been secured and the district would be among the first to receive the emergency assistance.

“We have secured more than 100 earthmovers from China. The district chairperson should, therefore, contact the Minister of Local Government for consideration,” Byandala said.

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