A contractor in Murang’a has been given a two months’ ultimatum to complete tarmacking of a stalled Murang’a road, which he started working on eight years ago.
Nyoro Construction Company has been given up to March this year to complete upgrading St. Mary’s-Gitugi – Mioro road to bitumen standard.
The company started working on the 40-kilometre road way back in 2012 and up to now, nine kilometres are remaining to be done.
Members of the Murang’a County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC) on Wednesday requested the contractor to deposit a letter of commitment with the committee stating that by March the construction of the road will be complete.
Speaking after visiting the project, the members expressed concern about the delay of the road which serves rich agricultural parts of Murang’a County.
President’s Delivery Unit Director in charge of Murang’a and Kiambu counties, Ms Bancy Wamuyu said members of the CDICC will be visiting the project frequently so as to ensure the road is completed within the given period.
She asked the contractor to dedicate his time on the road so that local residents, majority of them farmers, can enjoy smooth transport.
The contractor had earlier given December 31, 2019 as the completion date but claimed due to rains which were experienced in the region, construction works were halted.
Director with the company Mr. Mike Kariuki promised to deposit a commitment letter with the office of the County Commissioner indicating time frame on how the tarmacking of the road will be completed.
Kariuki said despite the delays, the company is doing quality works which will ensure the road is long lasting.
He promised to mobilize his equipment and engage a sub-contractor to complete tarmacking of the remaining nine kilometres.
Kariuki further decried delays in payment which has frustrated continuous works on the road promising to fast track the works once the pending bills are paid.
The road is expected to link to the proposed Mau Mau road which is slated to be commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta by end of this month.
Meanwhile, Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) central region director, Engineer Joseph Wanjohi has noted the ongoing rains have caused road damage approximated at 30 percent.
The authority, he noted is waiting for funding to start repairing sections of roads which were destroyed by rains.
Wanjohi said the repairs will cost about Sh300 million saying some roads were highly affected by the rains which in some areas triggered mudslides blocking the roads.
Maragua-Nginda-Kigumo road, Wanjohi observed is one of the roads, which need urgent repairs due to numerous potholes.
By Bernard Munyao
