By Emmanuel Olinga
KATAKWI
At least more than 14 Teso districts are competing for the only one excavator road equipment for road works, hence posing a delay for completion of roads works.
Teso Districts currently grapple with a significant road network challenge, with many districts competing for one excavator because all districts rely and share one excavating machine.
This was recently revealed by Geoffrey Omolo, LCV Katakwi, who said the Ministry of Works and Transport, Local Government, should purchase an additional excavator for the center district of Soroti to support the equipment now servicing the eastern region.
Inadequate road equipment significantly limits the district’s capacity to open and maintain roads properly.
Omolo expressed optimism, stating that while the district received road equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture to open roads, the procurement of these machines will be a great relief to the districts in Teso, and he is hopeful that the roads will be easily opened and maintained, presenting a promising solution to road network distress.
He emphasized the cost-saving benefits of owning road equipment over hiring it from private contractors, as well as the delays in road completion caused by districts’ struggle to share road equipment.
Raphael Magyezi, Minister of Local Government, acknowledged the challenge and promised to discuss it with the Ministry of Works while supporting the initiative, emphasizing the need of establishing full road equipment at the regional level.
According to Magyezi, as the districts’ road sectors develop, it is envisaged that more resources and initiatives would be devoted into upgrading overall infrastructure, thereby enhancing the lives of local residents.
