The National Government has kick-started the upgrading of the stalled Mbita-Sindo-Kiabuya-Sori road after addressing financial challenges that led to the project lagging behind time.
Director of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Silvance Osele, confirmed that the stalled 74-kilometre road is now on course as the contractor resumed work following part payment by the government.
He assured that the government is working to allocate more funds to clear the pending bills and ensure the project is completed within the agreed time frame.
“The problem we had earlier with regard to budgeting has been resolved. The project was lagging behind time, but the state is working towards releasing more money to the contractor to double the work so that we can recover the lost time,” he said.
The contract to upgrade the road to bitumen standard and performance-based routine maintenance amounted to Sh2.9 million and was to have been completed by January 2024, but due to pending payments, the contractor had to suspend works after completing the 7.4 km road stretch.
The contract was signed more than three years ago with Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) as the implementing agency.
However, the director said that the contractor has sought an extension of time to be able to complete the project, which is at 15.3 per cent complete.
“The last time we were here, we had achieved 7.4 km, which is a milestone, and today, we have 11.4 km of blacktop. The contractors have promised to accelerate the work to give us the second milestone of 7.4 km,” he said.
The delivery director who led a team from the Regional Development Implementation and Coordination Committee in Magunga during the project site inspection, said the project is significant in the region as it will link all three sub-counties in the South Nyanza region.
The road is anticipated to spur economic growth by attracting investors due to improved accessibility, ease the transportation of fish and farm produce to markets, improve accessibility to administrative offices, health centers and learning institutions and improve trade between Homa bay and Migori counties as it connects the two through Mbita and Sori sub-counties.
The team also toured the Rusinga Ring Road project in Rusinga Island where Osele commended the work done by the three contractors, saying they have achieved approximately 8.8 km of blacktop along the ring road.
This is the first-ever tarmac road within Rusinga Island.
He said the area is a Blue economy zone where fishing is a major activity, adding, “The road links the towns around the lake thereby offering an opportunity for improved security and connectivity to health facilities and education institutions.”
The 19.1 km road is estimated to cost Sh1.23 million and is expected to be complete by July 2025.
By Sitna Omar
