UGANDA, Masaka | Real Muloodi News | In an advisory visit, the Programme Technical Committee (PTC) of the World Bank-backed Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project has recommended that Masaka City swiftly formulate a sustainability plan for the new roads and street lights in the area.
The counsel comes in response to growing concerns about the deterioration of infrastructure in newly developed cities due to a lack of proper maintenance plans.
Hilda Mwesigwa, the leader of the PTC team, expressed worry about the increasing breakdown of infrastructure in cities, emphasising the necessity for local authorities to develop clear sustainability plans.
During an unplanned visit to assess the progress of ongoing USMID projects in Masaka City, Mwesigwa addressed issues raised by Vincent Kasumba, the President of the Masaka City Development Forum.
Kasumba highlighted challenges such as vandalism of street lights and road infrastructure, citing the clogged drainage systems of USMID roads constructed in 2015 and malfunctioning solar lamps.
Notably, on Yellow Knife Road, an early recipient of solar-powered street lights, four out of 10 lights are no longer operational.
Similarly, along Edward Avenue, 22 out of 23 solar lamps, including one near Masaka City Hall, are currently faulty.
Mwesigwa recommended that the city authorities implement stringent measures, including deterrent punishments outlined in by-laws, to discourage vandalism of street lights.
In addition to emphasising infrastructure sustainability, Mwesigwa urged the timely completion of ongoing projects, given that the USMID project is set to conclude by the end of December.
The Masaka City region received an additional Shs60 billion from the World Bank in 2021 for the construction of seven roads and street lighting projects, with completion facing challenges due to financial demands from the contractor, China WuYI Co Ltd.
Masaka City Engineer Augustus Turibarungi highlighted the contractor’s outstanding demand of Shs1.7 billion, urging the government to expedite the release of funds.
Turibarungi expressed caution about pushing the contractor to finalise landscaping tasks without funds, fearing potential interest charges.
Masaka’s acting Deputy City Clerk, Sarah Nandawula, informed USMID officials that a budget of Shs150 million has been allocated for the repair of vandalised infrastructure.
Nandawula affirmed the city’s commitment to developing a comprehensive plan to sustain all completed infrastructural developments, emphasising the importance of addressing maintenance challenges for long-term infrastructure sustainability.
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