Government takes over city roads
Dec 23, 2006
FRUSTRATED with the deteriorating state of Kampala’s roads, the government has decided to take over the repair the major roads as an emergency measure.
By Milton Olupot
FRUSTRATED with the deteriorating state of Kampala’s roads, the government has decided to take over the repair the major roads as an emergency measure.
Failure by Kampala City Council (KCC) to maintain the roads under its responsibility prompted the government to intervene, Minister of Works and Transport, John Nasisara, announced during a press conference yesterday.
A total of 23 tarmac roads are to undergo emergency repairs from January 2. They include the major roads leading in and out of the city, as well as the roads in the city centre, industrial area, Makerere, Mulago, Ntinda, Naguru, Kololo, Nakawa and Natete. Fifteen more roads will be rehabilitated under the
Commonwealth summit programme. These are mainly roads in the city centre, connecting the main hotels, as well as roads diverting the traffic away from the main highways.
“My ministry is now going to directly involve itself in the management of traffic in order to reduce traffic congestion,†said Nasasira in a press conference at the media centre.
“As soon as the law is passed by parliament, creating a special status for Kampala as a capital city, the central government will take over all the roads that will fall under the jurisdiction of the capital city,†he added.
The works minister was reacting to criticism in the media as to who is to blame for the appalling condition of the city’s roads. He explained that of the 300km tarmac roads in Kampala, the central government is only responsible for 56km.
He deplored the fact that KCC had failed to maintain the roads for over 10 years, despite the financial assistance from the central government. He identified the problems within KCC as both institutional, structural and financial.
“The city, with a population of now two million people and covering 195 square kilometers, has only eight engineers and three town planners. There are no transport planners, no traffic engineers and there is a severe shortage of enforcement personnel, development control and patrol staff.â€
He also stressed that the rapid intervention patching units were disbanded and that KCC’s revenue base is poor. He noted that the fund for pothole repair is winding up.
“Therefore, as of now, there are no funds for pothole repairs this financial year.†The visibly disturbed minister concluded: “This deterioration has to be halted before the transport system collapses.â€
FRUSTRATED with the deteriorating state of Kampala’s roads, the government has decided to take over the repair the major roads as an emergency measure.
Failure by Kampala City Council (KCC) to maintain the roads under its responsibility prompted the government to intervene, Minister of Works and Transport, John Nasisara, announced during a press conference yesterday.
A total of 23 tarmac roads are to undergo emergency repairs from January 2. They include the major roads leading in and out of the city, as well as the roads in the city centre, industrial area, Makerere, Mulago, Ntinda, Naguru, Kololo, Nakawa and Natete. Fifteen more roads will be rehabilitated under the
Commonwealth summit programme. These are mainly roads in the city centre, connecting the main hotels, as well as roads diverting the traffic away from the main highways.
“My ministry is now going to directly involve itself in the management of traffic in order to reduce traffic congestion,†said Nasasira in a press conference at the media centre.
“As soon as the law is passed by parliament, creating a special status for Kampala as a capital city, the central government will take over all the roads that will fall under the jurisdiction of the capital city,†he added.
The works minister was reacting to criticism in the media as to who is to blame for the appalling condition of the city’s roads. He explained that of the 300km tarmac roads in Kampala, the central government is only responsible for 56km.
He deplored the fact that KCC had failed to maintain the roads for over 10 years, despite the financial assistance from the central government. He identified the problems within KCC as both institutional, structural and financial.
“The city, with a population of now two million people and covering 195 square kilometers, has only eight engineers and three town planners. There are no transport planners, no traffic engineers and there is a severe shortage of enforcement personnel, development control and patrol staff.â€
He also stressed that the rapid intervention patching units were disbanded and that KCC’s revenue base is poor. He noted that the fund for pothole repair is winding up.
“Therefore, as of now, there are no funds for pothole repairs this financial year.†The visibly disturbed minister concluded: “This deterioration has to be halted before the transport system collapses.â€