County Executive for Roads, Transport and Public Works Dr. Joyce Osogo during the launch of machine based road maintenance at Ong’ayo in Kisumu West sub county(Photo: David Wadulo)
Residents of Kisumu West sub county can now breath a sigh of relief after yesterday’s launch of the machine based roads maintenance pilot program in the area by the County Executive for Roads, Transport and Public Works Dr. Joyce Osogo.
The program dubbed “accessibility our priority” will ensure that at least 5km access roads in each ward within the county are excavated, reshaped, side drained, gravelled and compacted.
Kisumu west is the third sub county where the program is set to be implemented after Muhoroni and Nyakach as the rest to follow suit.
The action plan comes at a time when the access roads have been rendered impassable due to heavy downpour experienced in the recent past.
Roads maintenance is an intergral component of Governor Prof Anyang Nyongos development Manifesto.
Residents of Ong’ayo ward who will benefit from the road projects, doing business, taking patients to hospital and even transporting corpses home for burial has been a daunting task due to the poor conditions of the road.
Speaking during the launch, CECM for Roads and Public Works, Dr. Joyce Osogo, outlined the access roads to be maintained to include:Ong’ayo Otonglo-Pombo, Obambo -Kabibi, Obambo -Ogal, Wadhguen- Kawiti Otete, Rabuor -Nametsa, Kadidi Wanguola Maringo, Nyahera-Geta, Awach bridge – Ndemra and Sianda – Gee.
She cautioned the community members not mix development with politics but always consult her office on matters that may require her attention for amicable solutions to be reached.
She further called on the residents to support the project by ensuring the security of the machines.
The County Executive for roads was flanked by her counterparts from Marketing and cooperatives Professor Judith Attyang who promised to build a modern market in the area to boost trade. The county Executive for Education Mr. John Awiti on his part pledged to put up an equipped Vocational Training Center in the area to sharpen the artisan skills of the youths.
The County Assembly Speaker Hon. Elisha Oraro who is also the immediate former MCA of the area called on the people of Ong’ayo ward to know the roles of both the MCAs and the Executive so that they are not confused over roles of the two.
He reiterated that the role of the MCA is representation, legislate, and oversight while the Executive is implementation.
He urged the people to attend public participation meetings where they can prioritize their needs for purposes of budgeting.
He added that the pilot program on road maintenance is a trial to see the much that can be done with the limited budget given compared to the works done by contractors that is quite expensive and covers only a few kilometers.
After completion of the access roads, youths and women in the locality will be engaged to maintain the roads as a source of livelihood.
The function was also attended by a host of MCAs, representatives of the area Member of Parliament Hon Olago Aluoch, Hon Rosa Buyu, the sub county administrator, the five ward administrators in the sub county, Assistant Chief of the area Mr John Ndege , Chief Officer Roads Eng. Moses Ogeda with a team of county Officials
from the department among other invited dignitaries.
By: Emily Mikwa
