In efforts to improve the infrastructural development in Jinja city, two road construction equipment were unveiled on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The two machines include a motor grader and a road roller.
The official launch was organized at the Jinja city hall where several political players in Jinja including the mayor Peter OkochaKasolo, Jinja North legislator Isabirye David Aga, woman MP, Manjeri Kyebakutiika, and city councillors were present to witness the announcement of the brand new graders.
Peter Okocha Kasolo, Jinja city mayor, revealed that the graders were procured by from the local revenues of the Jinja city local government in collaboration with USAID. The machines were procured at a tune of shs1.4 billion.
He said the machines aim to specifically shape the roads within Jinja city, cautioning engineers against channeling the machines to other areas and homes of private individuals. He emphasised the importance of transparency while utilizing the machines.
“Some people out there will forgive us, but we are currently not ready to hire these machines to anyone else. They are purposely for Jinja City roads,” Kasolo said during the launch of the graders.
“I was surprised on the lady these machines landed here. Someone called me, telling me that when are they (machines) coming to our area. I want to put it clear that if we find these equipment outside Jinja, we are going to deal with whoever will be behind their moving out,” he stated.
Kasolo mentioned that they since have been criticized and abused by residents for keeping deaf ears on the potholed roads within the city, which the local government has been operating without any road construction tools. He said authorities shall not admit the misuse of the limited equipment.
Jinja North MP Isabirye David Aga commended the city council for sacrificing the little funds to procure the important equipment amidst what he described as individuals who would instead pocket the money without minding the service delivery.
“Now you don’t need to ask what the councilor has done for you. Sacrificing and resolving that we should buy the graders to construct roads, it is really a big deal, and the councilor has done,” Aga said.
The legislator pleaded for construction works to kick-start from his area of jurisdiction whose roads are “critically ill.” He expressed the availability of fuel, calling for an immediate commencement of works.
“I even thought that we would launch these machines from Jinja North. We have fuel and let us immediately kick start work. I am requesting Mr. Engineer, sir, to commence with Jinja North roads, which are badly off. You have nothing to tell us because the machines and fuel are available,” said Aga.
The chief of party USAID Kieran Holmes said the gesture will help in increasing local revenues given the fact that Jinja now owns its machines instead of hiring contractors.
“The city has started training staff on tax collection. We believe that the professional collection of revenue shall enhance and improve the level of revenue collected in Jinja. Jinja is now improving service delivery because of the machines now procured,” Kieran said.
Jinja city woman MP Manjeri Kyebakutiika applauded the legislators that sit on the council committee whom she said they have spearheaded the project up to registering a success. The legislators include Nathan Igeme Nabeeta (South East), Timothy Lusala Batuwa (South West), and Isabirye David Aga of Jinja North.
