Soroti residents query stalled World Bank project

Residents of Soroti Municipality have tasked the Mayor to explain why road works under Uganda Support for Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project has failed to come to its completion since 2015.

The project is funded by the World Bank.

Among the roads that the residents say are incomplete include Central Avenue, Liverpool, Alanyu, Cemetery and Serere. 

David Okurut one of the residents said that since 2015 the roads have not been completed yet money amounting to sh6.7b was allocated for the project.

He explained that the incomplete work on these roads has delayed development in the municipality yet other municipalities have completed their works.

As he noted, some of the roads have materials heaped on their sides and equipment parked while others are being used in their incomplete state, something he said might lead to accidents. 

"The municipality has not taken the issue of parking vehicles very seriously that's why they still don't have where to park especially buses and taxis" Okurut said.

Moses Ecuru the deputy mayor said the contractor Plinth Technical Works had its contract terminated four months ago after the municipal council realised they had failed to complete the works.

He added that the municipality is soon getting another contractor who will complete those road works adding that the money is there and has not been swindled as alleged by some.

Ecuru said that the incomplete works include installation of solar street lights, surface dressing, ancillary works and drainage.

"The completion of the remaining road works is expected to start in the month of October" Ecuru added.