By JAMES KILA
A MAJOR portion of the K10 million allocated to Unggai-Bena district by the National Government would go towards maintaining roads and bridges in the district.
Environment and Conservation Minister and Unggai-Bena MP Benny Allen said during a media briefing that he would use K4 million to improve existing roads and bridges in the electorate.
He said other sectors such as education, health, law and justice, agriculture, water supply and communication network for the district would receive K1 million each.
Mr Allan also stressed that the money allocated to each sector may not be diverted to any other areas except for the intended projects.
He explained that the K1 million allocations to education do not cover school fees and that parents should not be expecting funding from them.
Communication as another sector had been established to cater for the installation of telephones to schools and health centres in the district.
Mr Allan also clarified that another K500,000 from district support grant would come from the Government, which would add up to a total of K10.5 million.
The minister, while thanking the Government for the funding said it had been the first time for the districts in the respective provinces to have surplus of funds to cater to district projects.
Mr Allan said a major road project in Unggai-Bena, which is the Seigu-Lahami road, was going to begin this year with a funding of K33 million from the Asian Development Bank.
The other major project also funded by ADB to begin this year is the Kamaliki-Movi road, which will be funded at a cost of K10 million.
He had also called on the people to meet and discuss how to assist in making sure the road project would be carried out smoothly and without any interruptions.
He said he would be meeting with the community leaders in the district to inform them on the importance of road improvement and the benefits the people would receive after the completion of the road project.
Mr Allan emphasised that the funding for the road project comes from outside source and not from the National Government and the onus was with the people to co-operate and ensure the project was fully completed.