Works on Muyenbe-Nakapiripirit road to start next year

Calaleddin Polat (Left) looks on, as Emre Polat and Kagina, the Executive director of Uganda Roads National Authority (UNRA) shake hands after signing the contract for the construction of the road. PHOTOS: Sylvia Katushabe

A Turkish construction firm, Polat Yol Yapi, has signed a contract with the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to tarmac the 92.2km route of Muyembe to Nakapiripirit.

The construction works, according to Allen Kagina, UNRA Executive Director, will start early next year and it's expected to take three years. The construction is being funded through a loan from the Islamic Development Bank to a tune of sh399.9bn.

The road which starts at Muyembe at the end of the tarmac road from Mbale will connect to the Nakapiripirit-Moroto road which is already paved.

While addressing journalists at the UNRA offices at Nakawa Business Park, Kagina explained that the construction of the road was delayed due to cancellation of the loan by the bank over delays to disburse the money against the procurement which was won by M/S Polat Yol Yapi San. Ve Tic. A.S of Turkey in June 2018.

"These delays were legacy issues which we have now dealt with. It affected two projects, this one and another project called Kunye-Apac-Lira-Ruranga.  So subsequently the government of Uganda engaged the Islamic Development Bank and put in place mechanisms to ensure that when reinstated the disbursement would be done on schedule," she said.

She noted that after assessing the government mechanisms, the bank reinstated the loan for all the projects.

Kagina said they have already acquired 60.72Kms of land required for the construction works and will continue with the acquisition process as the works progress. She stated that by June 2020, the project will have acquired 100% right of way.

"We have enough land for the contractor to begin. The work will continue as we do land acquisition. We will also carry out other activities like stakeholder engagement over the project," she said.

She noted that they will monitor not just the physical construction of the road but how the communities around are affected by the construction.

She also stated that they have a team that will work closely with the constructors to ensure that the environment is not adversely affected.

"The road will significantly contribute to the economic prosperity of north eastern Uganda. The road upgrading will also assist the administrative and social coverage in the region, reduce vehicle operating costs and improve social services and trading opportunities," she said.

Kagina urged the locals to brace themselves for the job opportunities that come with construction works. These include drivers, flag men and other jobs that require no skills.

She assured the communities that they will monitor the employment process to ensure that no Ugandan is cheated in terms of payments.

This is Polat Yol Yapi's first contract in eastern Africa.  Celaleddin Polat, a board member of the company, said their company has a global presence having executed similar contracts in the Middle East, Southern Africa and North America.

"Wherever we have worked, we have ensured that we add value to the local communities. We are not only going to employ many Ugandans but will ensure that we make the people happy with our presence," he said.

He was flanked by another company director; Emre Polat at the contract signing ceremony presided over by Kagina.

Once complete, the total number of kilometers of roads tarmacked in Karamoja region will rise to 4942.2kms from the current 4850kms. Roads so far done include the Akisim-Moroto and Nakapiripirit-Moroto road while the Moroto-Kotido-Kabong-Kidepo route is in the pipeline.