All is set for Katakwi road users and producers to enjoy smooth roads following the commissioning of the road construction and maintenance project in the district.
The commissioning has been done by none other than the Vice President also Katakwi district woman MP Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo at a colorful function held in Usuk county.
The project aims to enhance road infrastructure in the district, making them accessible and passable by the community.
Alupo praised her boss Gen. Yoweri Museveni for allocating each district and municipality across the country, Shs1billion cash for maintenance of roads outside the Uganda National Roads Authority.
Among the roads commissioned include; Koritok-Aparisa-Ocorimongin road (7.5km) estimated at Sh282m, Abwokodia-Ongatunyo-Milimili-Aketa road (7km) at 285m and Ocorimongin-Alese-Omodoi road (8km) at 282m.
Katakwi is one of the districts who under the fiscal year 2023/2024 budget received an extra sh1billion ‘kawogo’ for road maintenance, in addition to the funds provided through the Road Fund.
While commissioning the road construction and maintenance works in Koritok, Usuk County, Alupo said in a significant effort to enhance road infrastructure across the nation, the government allocated additional funds through the Road Fund for the maintenance of roads in every district.
She said the move is aimed at ensuring that all districts have access to sufficient resources for road maintenance and improvement.
“The money is meant to facilitate routine maintenance of existing marram roads within the district,” Alupo said.
She noted that the move to allocate additional funds through the Road Fund underscores the government’s commitment to improving and maintenance of Uganda’s road infrastructure.
The vice president emphasized that with these resources, the state of roads in district across the country will witness substantial improvements, ultimately benefiting local communities and economic activities.
She assured the public that government has already embarked on the process of procuring road equipment for districts without. About 11 districts lack road equipment across the country.
She emphasized that they want to use these services of government to consolidate unity in Katakwi district and cautioned contractors against shoddy works.
“Contractors should ensure that quality construction materials are utilized as well as ensuring that workmanship conforms to the quality standards and specifications,” Alupo said.
She tasked the Katakwi district Chief Administration officer to allocate the Sh1b holistically to benefit the entire district. “Please allocate the resources fairly and equally,” she said.
“We have left the issue of running from cattle rustlers because government has established sufficient security in Karamoja and neighboring areas. I appeal to you to embrace government development and livelihood programs to eradicate household poverty,” Alupo said.
In a motherly tone, Alupo appealed to contractors to always cover the Ball pits after marram has been excavated to safe guard the children who are currently on holiday.
The Katakwi Resident District commissioner Maj. Godfrey Katamba decried the increasing maintenance cost of the district road equipment.
“One tyre of a Grader buys between sh4-sh5m without looking at mechanical challenges yet the district has three equipment,” Katamba said. He asked government to put into consideration the aspect of maintenance.
The district Engineer Andrew Echatu said road maintenance, recruitment of road gangs have been completed and activities are commencing this month.
