UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has denied that the Kampala City Roads Rehabilitation Project (KCRRP) is behind schedule, noting that background work is underway for the four lots of the project.
According to KCCA spokesperson Simon Kasyate, the commencement of the KCRRP does not involve actual construction work, but background preparations by contractors.
“When we talk about commencement of the KCRRP, it is not about coming with tractors or land graders as many Ugandans want to see. This involves some background works by the contractors which precedes the ground breaking or actual construction,” KCCA spokesperson Simon Kasyate said.
The KCRRP is a UGX 1.1 trillion project funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and it aims to improve 100km of roads, 123km of non-motorised traffic facilities and the provision of street lighting in the city divisions.
Progress Update: Forward Maintenance on Kampala Roads
According to Mr Kasyate, the KCRRP is progressing well, and at least one signboard for Lot 2 of the project has been erected along Port Bell Road by Zhejiang Communications Constructions Group Limited, which is responsible for reconstructing roads under Lot 2.
These roads include Port Bell, Spring Road and the signalisation of five junctions in Nakawa Division.
According to Mr Kasyate, ongoing patchwork on the roads pending reconstruction is part of forward maintenance by the local contractors to ensure that the roads remain accessible ahead of actual work.
Mr Kasyate noted that although these local companies were unsuccessful in acquiring contracts for the main project, they were given a chance by the contractors to carry out the maintenance services.
“We agreed with our contractors that they do forward maintenance of the most dilapidated roads as they finalise with all the background work. People should not get worried that the current maintenance is the final seal of the KCRRP,” Mr Kasyate said.
He added: “The forward maintenance work is being done by our local companies and we are glad to note that whereas these companies where unsuccessful in acquiring the contracts for the main project, at the end they have been given a chance by the contractors to carry out the maintenance services.”
Challenges Faced in the Project
The project still faces some challenges, such as some hostile citizens who make prohibitive demands before granting the right of way to the project.
Others, especially project neighbours, are hesitant to allow auxiliary works on their premises.
However, KCCA has not received any directive stopping the project from the Inspector General of Government (IGG), despite inflation alarms in the project being raised by City Mayor Erias Lukwago to the IGG office. Thus, despite challenges, KCCA remains optimistic about the project’s success.
If any recommendation is given on the matter, KCCA will act accordingly.
Mr Kasyate said: “We have not received any directive stopping the project from the IGG and if we receive any recommendation on the matter, we shall act accordingly.”
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