Busia: Road rehabilitation works stall due to fuel shortage

The planned rehabilitation of major roads in Busia district has stalled due to fuel shortage. Early this year, Busia district approved a budget of Shillings 60 million for fuel to rehabilitate among others Masafu- Bukobe, Mumutumba- Lumino road, Masafu-Busikho road, Buhehe-Masinya road and Bulumbi-Buyanga-Buteba and Busitema-Sikuda roads using graders from the Works Ministry.

The Shillings 60 million is part of the money the district received from the Uganda Road Fund in the first quarter of the financial year 2021/2022. In August this year, the district commenced the rehabilitation works with bushing clearing on the 28Km Masafu- Bukobe, Mumutumba- Lumino road. However, the work has since stalled due to lack of fuel.

The road equipment is now parked at Mumusyola village in Masaba sub-county. George Mwidu, the Busia District Engineer confirmed to URN that they are unable to continue with the works because of fuel shortage. He explains that they can’t access money from the central government because the district bank account system is down.

Mwidu says that they have raised the matter with the central government that has promised to address the challenge in the shortest time possible. Steven Ojuku, a boda-boda rider, says Masafu-Bukobe road where the rehabilitation started from is very slippery and characterized by accidents.

Bernard Ojambo, another boda-boda rider wants the authorities to complete the rehabilitation works, saying that this is the only shortest route to Busia town.

Stephen Mugeni Wasike, the Busia District LC V chairman blames the slow access to funding on the slow pace by the Chief Administrative Officer- CAO who didn’t ask for money in time.

John Rex Aachila, the Busia Resident District Commissioner- RDC blames the crisis on the cliques led by the CAO and LC V chairman that has resulted in poor service delivery.