World Bank tells State to speed up road project

By John Oyuke

World Bank has asked the Government to speed up remaining contracts on the Northern Corridor transport system through prompt counterpart funding.

The contracts include Sultan Hamud-Machakos Turnoff, Njoro Turnoff-Timboroa, Mau Summit-Kericho and Kericho-Nyamasaria road sections.

Acting Head of Kenya Office, Ragini Dalal disclosed that since June 2004, the Bank has invested Sh35.42 billion or half of the estimated $920 million for the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project. This project involves rehabilitation of the Northern Corridor transport system from Mombasa through Nairobi and Nakuru to Kisumu and the Kenya-Uganda border.

It also includes contracts for expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kisumu Airport.

Dalal spoke during commissioning of the upgraded Lanet-Nakuru-Njoro Turn-off Road in Nakuru.

She said completion of the sections of the road are critical to the efficient movement of goods, services and people.

"The road investment programme should be fully funded to avoid costly delays and cost overruns associated with delayed project implementation," she said.

The 16-km dual carriageway section commissioned by President Kibaki on Wednesday is part of the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project being funded by the Government and World Bank.

Source: The Standard | Online Edition