LANDS MINISTER NABAKOOBA LAUNCHES USMID- AF PROJECT ROAD WORKS IN BUSIA MUNICIPLAITY , TELLS CONTRACTOR DOTTS SERVICES TO DELIVER QUALITY AND ON TIME

By Gerald Buyinza

The Minister of Lands , Housing and Urban  Development , Ms. Judith Nabakooba has applauded the World   Bank for  accepting to finance the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Program (USMID -Af) -that has caused tremendous economic growth in urban centers across the country since it was launched more than 7 years ago.

Nabakooba , also asked all contractors who have been selected to undertake the development projects in municipalities and refugee hosting districts to deliver quality work and value for money infrastructure that will last the test of time and boost local and national economic growth .

The Lands Minister Nabakooba made the remarks while launching  the commencement of the  Usmid-Af Project Road Works in Busia municipality . the occasion was also witnessed by the USMID-AF Project Coordinator ,  Dr. Eng. Isaac Mutenyo, the local area MPs , district leaders and other government officials .

With funding of up to Ug.Shs 18.8bn  the minister tasked the local leadership of Busia Districts to ensure that the selected contract Dott Services deliveries the agreed upon projects on time and should be of the required quality .

“ This is a big contract and Dott Services are expected to deliver the highest quality of work within the stipulated time. USMID program is scheduled to close on 31st December 2023, meaning that we have less than 3 years to ensure we  complete all the actions we intend to take,” the Minister stressed , noting that the project has lost a lot of time in the preparatory stages -largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its restrictive environment.

Nabakooba  challenged the leaders in Busia to utilise the availed funding optimally and ensure that at the end of the day Busia is transformed into a  clean and well-planned Municipality. She also reminded the local leaders that the USMID program has an elevated standard of transparency, accountability and participation of all citizens.  In order to ensure inclusiveness of all stakeholders , Nabakooba explained that community participation in Municipal Council development and under the USMID program has  been catalysed through the establishment of the Municipal Development Forums (MDF). 

“All stakeholders should be represented and their roles understood for the development of their Municipality,”  she said and urged the residents of Busia to continue supporting the USMID programme and particularly the road works that have been  flagged off.

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