Fort Portal City Council Has Contracted China Railway No 18 to embark on the rehabilitation of the three city roads under the second phase of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development project.
According to Moses Otimong the Fort Portal city clerk, the city council has already signed a contract with China Railway No 18, to embark on shillings 20.4 Billion road construction project slated for 6 months.
The roads to be worked on Millane road 0.72 kilometers, Kabundaire Water supply 0.9 and Mugoma Kahungabunyonyi 0.66 kilometer roads all in central division Fort portal.
The city clerk says the company will also partner with “Global 21st Century Limited” as their subcontractors during the projected works which will commence soon.
Otimong says as a construct obligation Fort portal city has already paid 20% of the total sum which is about Shillings 4 Billion, to the Chinese company which will act as an assurance between the two parties.
Otimong says the city has received a team from the World Bank mission headed by the Country Director Ms. Mukame Karuiki, who have come for inspection of all the completed USMID projects since inception from the first phase, ahead of the closure of the second phase which is only left with less than 18 months.
Meanwhile the city authorities are however concerned over low road funds which has left many of the city roads in a sorry state.Steven Ajako the Task Team Leader at the World Bank says the city should prioritize to ensure that the city is lit to reduce on cases of insecurity, extending working hours for the business community, as well as attracting visitors.
Ajako says the council should also ensure that the street lights are maintained in a better shape so that they can serve the intended purpose.
Mukame Karuiki the world bank country director said she is impressed with the previous projects in Fort portal city and that the world bank is determined to ensure that the levels of poverty in the country are reduced to enable communities to live a desirable life.
Karuiki however asked Fort Portal city council to ensure there is a return on investment in the city projects through Revenue collection since the money being used to embark on the projects is not a grant but rather a credit which means the money has to be paid back.
