Residents of Bulapesa Ward, Isiolo North have urged the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) to re-plan and expand the road linking the area with Isiolo town before embarking on its construction.
Led by the Ward Representative Mr. Iddi Kimathi the residents said that the road is in a pathetic state forcing motorists and pedestrians to avoid it owing to the high cost of motor-vehicle maintenance and congestion.
“Our children are using long routes to their schools after the road was damaged by the recent October – December rains following which all bridges there collapsed,” Kimathi said.
The MCA urged KERRA to carry out fresh road mapping and supervision so that the contractor could resume the stalled works and it was already two years in the project.
The ward Rep further asked Isiolo Water and Sewerage Company (IWASCO) to ensure the main water supply line was protected from being destroyed by the road construction.
When contacted, Isiolo North MP Mr. Hassan Odha said the contract was awarded before him but assured the residents that he would follow up the matter in anticipation of completion of the project without further delay.
Mr. Odha said the main challenge the contractor was facing arose from lack involvement of stakeholders at the planning and commencement of the project.
“I am calling upon KERRA to move with speed and re-plan the road properly and include all the stakeholders so that the work could be completed within the stipulated time,” the MP said.
The Managing Director of Modogashe Agencies Company Mr. Nassir Abdullahi Basalinga who was awarded the tender said that his company faces challenges in completing the road since some local people who were supposed to vacate the road reserve were yet to comply.
Mr. Basalinga said that Kenya Power and Lighting Company poles are not properly aligned and 80 per cent of them were on the road.
He also asked the water company to hasten the pace of aligning the supply lines to Isiolo town and other estates.
By Abduba Mamo
