Residents of Teso North Constituency have applauded the move by the government to embark on rehabilitation of dilapidated roads in the Constituency, to ease movement of people and goods.
The maintenance of at least ten key roads in the region to the tune of Sh 60 million, is a sigh of relief to the residents who have been complaining on poor state roads in the area.
Speaking at Kocholia market, when he flagged-off the construction of the roads, area Member of Parliament, Oku Kaunya, warned contractors against doing a shoddy job, as they risk being blacklisted.
The lawmaker said Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), which will fund the projects, had awarded local contractors to work on the roads.
Kaunya thanked the government for increasing the allocation on infrastructure rehabilitation from Sh31 million to Sh60 million in the Constituency, noting that it will open up connectivity for business and stir-up rural economic development.
“I want to warn contractors who are rehabilitating these roads, don’t try the mischief of doing a shoddy job here in Teso North, you will take full responsibility and you risk being blacklisted and miss-out on future undertakings,” he warned.
“I want to urge members of the public to be vigilant and help us by ensuring the roads are done, to the required standards,” he added.
The road from Kocholia – Kotur, which was impassable during the rainy season, will now have a facelift with modern drainage in place, at a cost of 5.4million.
Other roads which will be rehabilitated include Kocholia to Bitobo, Awata- Kakapel, Changara- Katome, Akichelesit- Angurai, Changara- Kamunyongole, 14km Amagoro to Malakisi through Awata, 8.7km Angurai- Chemasiri TTI, Owata-Jairos and Chemasiri Kisiombe.
Teso North Assistant County Commissioner 1 (ACC 1), Benson Kemboi, urged members of the public to embrace government projects and make best use of such facilities, to better their lives.
“The government always means well for its people. It’s upon us to embrace these projects and use them positively, to empower ourselves,” noted Kemboi
The ACC warned those opposing opening of drainage systems during the rehabilitation exercise, that they will equally face stern-measures from the government.
On bursary, Kaunya noted that 78 million will be used to ensure all applicants with the constituency get Sh5,000 each in support of 100 percent Transition Policy by the government.
“We have allocated Sh78million for bursary, just to ensure no child in the Constituency will be left at home for lack of school fees, here in Teso North, we have given priority to education,” he said.
The MP was accompanied by local member of County Assembly, Bonface Mamai and Deputy Speaker, County Assembly of Busia, Ronald Ochalu.
By Absalom Namwalo
