A World Bank delegation is currently inspecting ongoing civil projects in selected local governments that are part of the $360 million USMID AF Program in the United States. The team, led by Phan Huyen, a senior Urban Specialist at the World Bank, began their inspection in Apac District, where various projects, including road construction, are underway.
Huyen stated, “We are here for a routine inspection of the ongoing projects being implemented by regional cities, municipalities, and local governments.” During the inspection, the senior Urban Specialist emphasized the importance of completing the projects according to their contracted value and specifications to achieve their intended objectives.
The local governments involved in the USMID AF Program include Lira and Soroti cities, Busia, Tororo, Moroto, Apac, and Kiryandongo. These projects, spread across 10 regional cities, 22 municipalities, and 11 refugee host districts, are expected to be commissioned by the end of the year.
In Busia, a border district, the municipality is working on various roads that connect commercial areas and residential spaces. These developments are already stimulating trade and commerce in the municipality, as Busia serves as a vital transit point for goods and people.
The USMID Program Technical Committee (PTC) has advised Busia municipality to ensure the swift completion of civil works, as the program is set to conclude in December. The committee highlighted the need to install road furniture, including road signs, to enhance the safety of road users.
The inspection of the new Busia taxi park also revealed a delay in installing the roof, allegedly due to a dispute with the URA over unresolved tax waivers. The World Bank team urged the resolution of this delay to ensure public safety in and around the taxi park.
Busia’s municipal Mayor Sadik Amin expressed concern about the contractor’s sluggishness in completing the projects, emphasizing the importance of finishing the roads connecting various business areas promptly.
In Soroti, city authorities are wrapping up projects to convert urban roads into motorable tarmac, improve drainage channels for stormwater management, and enhance security with solar street lighting.
According to Judith Nabakooba, the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, between the first and second phases of the USMID program, $138 million was spent on 14 municipalities, some of which have been elevated to city status. An additional $360 million is being invested in eight more municipalities and 11 refugee host districts.
The USMID program brief specifies that urban roads in regional cities and municipalities should be fully equipped with furniture such as solar streetlights, cycle lanes, pedestrian walkways, parking lanes, bus bays, and drainage systems. By June 30, 2023, 51.8 kilometers of urban roads have been completed and are ready for commissioning. An additional 87.1 kilometers are expected to be completed by December 2023, marking the conclusion of this $360 million infrastructure project funded by the World Bank.
