Ensure transparency in roads project
Oct 01, 2010
BY December, work on some 1,000kms of roads will have started in different areas of Uganda. Thirty-two roads will be tarmacked at a cost of $8b (sh1.8 trillion) and this is the first time Government is making such an ambitious road project that will introduce tarmac in many new areas.
BY December, work on some 1,000kms of roads will have started in different areas of Uganda. Thirty-two roads will be tarmacked at a cost of $8b (sh1.8 trillion) and this is the first time Government is making such an ambitious road project that will introduce tarmac in many new areas.
This money includes a significant contribution from our own coffers and is also a welcome development.
Roads benefit all Ugandans of all walks of life and have a significant impact on the economic development of the areas. For this, the Government must be applauded.
However, the minister and officials from the National Roads Authority (UNRA) should make sure that the roads are made to the required standards. Corruption controls, quality assurance and time adherence must be a priority if Ugandans are to maximise the benefits from this huge investment of their money.
Previous scandals about road projects should provide good lessons to make it better this time. Stakeholders,like MPs, IGG, PAC, RDCs, local leaders, President’s Office, who are in position to monitor the progress, should help UNRA to ensure value for money. Residents whose property has been marked for destruction are worried about the promise, amount, timing and procedure of compensation. It is two months from December and they still don’t know when, how and if the compensation is planned!
The project should be as transparent as possible for it to receive massive support. Sensitization in the project areas must begin as soon as possible.
This money includes a significant contribution from our own coffers and is also a welcome development.
Roads benefit all Ugandans of all walks of life and have a significant impact on the economic development of the areas. For this, the Government must be applauded.
However, the minister and officials from the National Roads Authority (UNRA) should make sure that the roads are made to the required standards. Corruption controls, quality assurance and time adherence must be a priority if Ugandans are to maximise the benefits from this huge investment of their money.
Previous scandals about road projects should provide good lessons to make it better this time. Stakeholders,like MPs, IGG, PAC, RDCs, local leaders, President’s Office, who are in position to monitor the progress, should help UNRA to ensure value for money. Residents whose property has been marked for destruction are worried about the promise, amount, timing and procedure of compensation. It is two months from December and they still don’t know when, how and if the compensation is planned!
The project should be as transparent as possible for it to receive massive support. Sensitization in the project areas must begin as soon as possible.