A World Bank team inspecting the progress of road construction works in key municipalities in Western Uganda under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) has warned authorities in Mbarara City over the slow works.
The World Bank Mission head, Stephen Ajalu said during a joint meeting with Mbarara City authorities yesterday that when there are challenges like what is in Mbarara City of unspent monies and work not moving then it gets back to the consolidated fund it means that no progress is made towards the goal.
Ajalu, a senior urban development specialist with the World Bank said only a few and clearly understandable implementing municipalities will be given a little more time to complete ongoing works.
During the inspection, the team found a section of key city roads in Mbarara such as Lower Access road, Mosque Road, Ruhara road, Kyamugoroni road and Municipal Access road as some whose works are running behind schedule and remain incomplete eight months to the close of the World Bank funding window.
Mbarara City is thus yet to receive shs33 billion out of the shs 60 billion allocated for tarmacking urban roads under the USMID AF Programme.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Kakyebezi, warned that constant sweeping of money back into the treasury due to failed utilization, implies contractors need be pressured to deliver on time as per agreements.
Mbarara is part of the nine municipal councils which were elevated into cities and are now under intense pressure to enhance the quality of motorable roads within the city.
