In the news on Thursday, October 5, 2023, the construction of the Adjumani World Bank-funded road project has encountered delays. The Chief Administrative Officer of Adjumani, Mr. Grandfield Oryono, expressed concerns about the project’s progress, citing difficulties in empowering the contractor, Rock Trust (U) Limited, to meet financial requirements and release funds.
This road project, funded by the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Additional Funding (USMID-AF) from the World Bank, aims to construct 3.1 kilometers of roads at a cost of Shs10.2 billion. However, it may not be completed within the designated time frame if certain measures are not taken.
The contract period for the project is six months, with the contractor having only three months remaining. As of the end of September 2023, the project’s completion rate was only 10 percent, according to consultants and engineers. The deadline for project completion is set for December 31, 2023.
During a press conference at the Adjumani Multi-Purpose Training Centre, Eng Buzibwaa Luswata, the Resident Engineer of Segamu 14 and Hersun Consultants Ltd, expressed disappointment with the slow progress of the work. Luswata pointed out that the installation of three box culverts, each taking four weeks, is a critical phase of the project and may pose challenges given the limited time frame.
To address the concerns, Eng Buzibwaa Luswata suggested that the contractor, Rock Trust Construction Limited, should sub-contract a significant portion of the work, possibly 30 percent or more, to expedite the project’s completion.
Mr. Grandfield Oryono, the Adjumani Chief Administrative Officer, reiterated their efforts to financially support Rock Trust (U) Limited but highlighted that the management’s failure to meet requisitions for work done has kept the allocated Shs10.3 billion for the project in the district account, remaining unused.
In response to the concerns, Mr. Francis Ssembatya, the Director of Rock Trust, assured the public that the road works would be completed within the stipulated timeframe. He expressed optimism about securing the necessary funding and initiating the requisition process.
The project, signed on June 12, 2023, involves the upgrade of three kilometers of roads to a bituminous surface in Adjumani District Local Government. The roads included in the project are Administration Road (1.43km), Illa Road (0.66km), and Market Road (1.09km). The scope of work includes a carriage-way, solar-powered street lights on both sides, and walkways on the drainage, as outlined in the design document authored by AB Consults.
