Progress On Kitgum MATIP Market Construction Still Below Average
Construction works on the Kitgum main market being undertaken as part of the second phase of the Market Agriculture Trade Improvement Program (MATIP II) still stands at 44 percent despite eight months left for its anticipated completion.
The Kitgum town clerk Emmanuel Banya Natal made the disclosure on Tuesday before the state minister for Local Government Jennifer Namuyangu who was on an upcountry onsite monitoring visit of government projects.
Construction of the Kitgum main market worth over 23.8 billion shillings being funded by the African Development Bank commenced in June 2019 and was expected for actual completion within 24 months and handed over in June 2021.
However, close to a year and a half now, works are still progressing at a slow pace and well, despite some slight delays that has hindered its timely completion.
According to Banya, the slight delays was attributed to political propaganda that took center stage at its inception, high water volume retentions at the market site and the corona virus pandemic.
The state minister of Local Government Jenifer Namuyangu expressed impression on the quality of work on site in line with the project’s scope, design and standards despite decrying the delays in work as compared to thirteen other markets being constructed in the second phase of MATIP that had nearly reached completion stage.
According to Namuyangu, other markets that include; Entebbe, Tororo, Soroti, Moroto, Kasese, Arua and Lugazi that are being constructed under the second phase of MATIP alongside Kitgum hand already reached completion stage.
Namuyangu urged the contractor to expedite the process of working extra hours and enhance human resource on site to ensure tireless work in a bid to catch up with the times lost in executing the project works.
The contractor Chinese State Construction Engineering Company limited (CSCECL) affirmed the construction delays but pledged assurance in accomplishing the work within the stipulated remaining eight months.
Kitgum resident district Commissioner William Komakech asked the contractor to ensure value for money in the construction since the facility since it’s meant to act as a benchmark towards achieving government’s vision of 2040.
Komakech calls on the local populace to embrace the project which upon completion will offer employment opportunities, stimulate development through revenue, taxes and creating market for goods and services and creating business opportunities for various companies and individuals.
Concy Atim the chairperson of the Kitgum Main Market Vendors Association says the public is excited over the market that will accommodate an estimated 2000 vendors saying it will be a relief to the market vendors who have persistently complained over glitches of congestion, poor storage facilities, poor sanitary facilities, poor garbage disposal that the current market.
Kitgum Municipal engineer in charge of road works and engineering Alexis Abonga says the facility will have provisions of lockups, restaurants, market stalls, butcheries, office spaces, a day care center, banking facilities, public parking spaces, fire hydrant points, storage facilities.
Other components also include; a health facility, waste water soak pits and provisions of a sculpture of an elephant monument that depicts a traditional emblem which symbolizes the Acholi cultural heritage.
Kitgum Main Market is amongst the 10 markets that have been earmarked for construction under the second phase of the markets and agricultural trade improvement project being funded from a loan from the African Development Bank.
Others include; municipality markets of Entebbe, Arua, Moroto, Tororo, Lugazi, Busia, Kasese, Masaka and Soroti.
