Urgent Deadline for Northern Bypass Rehabilitation
Works and Transport Minister Fred Byamukama has issued a strict directive to Stirling Civil Engineering, demanding the completion of rehabilitation works on the 21-kilometre Northern Bypass within seven days. This decision comes after years of delays that have frustrated road users and impacted the economy.
During an inspection of the road project, Byamukama emphasized that the government would not grant any further extensions to the project, which has already taken three years to complete. He criticized the contractor’s request for additional time, stating that the Shs67 billion maintenance project had already exceeded its schedule, leading to significant costs for both road users and the economy.
“You cannot work on a 21-kilometre road for three years and then come asking for an extension. We are not extending this contract,” the minister said.
He instructed the contractor to finish the remaining section under construction within the next seven days and to remove all equipment from the site immediately after the works are completed.
A Mess with Consequences
Byamukama described the project as “a mess,” highlighting the severe traffic congestion caused by the prolonged construction. This has led to travelers missing flights, discouraging investors, and inconveniencing tourists entering the country through Kampala.
The Northern Bypass is one of Uganda’s key transport corridors, and the delays have increased fuel consumption, prolonged travel times for motorists, and negatively affected the country’s image. The minister noted that these issues have had far-reaching consequences for the nation’s economic development.
Future Infrastructure Plans
In addition to addressing the current delays, Byamukama announced that the government has secured funding in the current financial year to construct additional infrastructure. This new infrastructure aims to separate traffic heading towards Masaka Road from vehicles accessing the Entebbe Expressway.
The intervention is expected to reduce persistent congestion at the busy interchange, improving traffic flow and reducing travel times for commuters.
Strict Measures Against Contractors
During the inspection, Byamukama used the opportunity to caution contractors against delaying government projects through repeated requests for contract extensions and inflated price escalation claims. He emphasized that the Ministry of Works and Transport is strengthening supervision of road contracts and will no longer tolerate what he described as collusion between contractors and ministry officials aimed at defrauding the government through unjustified claims.
“Once you are awarded a project, complete it within the agreed time. If it requires working day and night, do it because government is paying for the work,” he said.
Addressing Corruption
The minister added that he had summoned contractors to a meeting this week to warn them against corruption and failure to fulfill contractual obligations. He stated that the government loses billions of shillings every quarter through fraudulent claims linked to road projects.
This move signals a broader effort by the government to ensure transparency and accountability in public infrastructure projects. By setting clear deadlines and enforcing strict penalties for non-compliance, the administration aims to restore public confidence in the management of national infrastructure.
Conclusion
The urgent directive for the completion of the Northern Bypass rehabilitation highlights the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges. With a focus on efficiency, accountability, and transparency, the administration seeks to improve transportation networks and support economic growth. As the project moves forward, the emphasis on timely execution and ethical practices will be crucial in ensuring the success of future infrastructure initiatives.
