Solicitor General clears contracts for 450km of roads
Jun 29, 2014
The office of the Solicitor General has okayed contracts for the upgrading of five major roads across the country.
By Billy Rwothungeyo
The office of the Solicitor General has okayed contracts for the upgrading of five major roads across the country.
This development now paves the way for the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to sign the contracts.
“The road works are all funded by the Government of Uganda and are expected to cost 700bn shillings over the next three years of construction. Government will also spend another 50 billion shillings on compensation of affected property owners. Actual physical works on these roads will commence at the end of August 2014,” said Dan Alinange, UNRA’s head of Corporate Communications.
He added: “These roads are part of Government plan to provide support to increased agricultural and industrial production, trade, social, and administrative services. The roads will provide efficient transport which will play a critical role in the development of an integrated and self-sustaining economy and enhance Government’s strategy for the eradication of poverty and economic integration of the country.”
UNRA says these roads will be constructed to 7 meter carriageway, with 1.5 meter shoulders on each side of the road in flat terrain, and reduced shoulder width of 0.5 m in mountainous areas. In selected urban areas a 1.2/1.5m wide foot-paths (side-walks) will be provided for pedestrians.
The roads for upgrading are;
· Kanoni-Ssembabule-Villa Maria (135km), to be upgraded by China Railway No.3 Engineering Group Co.Ltd of China
· Olwiyo-Gulu (70km) to be handled by Zhongmei to Engineering Group Ltd of China
· Gulu-Acholibur (Kitgum) (73km) works will be handled by China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Co.Ltd
· Acholibur (Kitgum)-Musigo( 80km) works have been awarded to Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO)
· Musiita-Lumino-Busia/Majanji (104km) works will be under the docket of China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co.Ltd
Furthermore, UNRA is in the final stages of the procurements process for contractors to undertake the following roads which are slated to start in:
· Ntungamo – Mirama Hills (37km) funded by Trade Mark East Africa
· Masaka-Bukakata (41km) funded by BADEA
· Kigumba-Masindi-Hoima-Kabwoya (135km) funded by the African Development Bank
· Kyenjojo-Kabwoya (105km) funded by the World Bank
· Mubende-Kakumiro-Kibale-Kagadi (104km) funded by Government of Uganda
Alinange says the evaluation of bids for the above roads has been completed and tenders will be awarded in the two months.
“It is important for the public to know that before a road is selected for upgrading, studies are carried out to assess the social, economic and environmental viability of the project.”
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