City roads deal signed

 By FIDELIS SUKINA

TWO contracts worth K318 million were signed last Friday for the upgrading of the Badihagwa to Gerehu and 9-Mile roads in the National Capital District.

Both contracts were awarded to China Harbour Engineering Co.

NCD Governor Powes Parkop said the Chinese company was engaged for the road projects because of the terms of the loans received by the Government from the Exim Bank of China.  

He said this brought the total Government spending on road constructions and upgrading in the NCD to K530 million.

Parkop said the contracts were vital for the capital city to upgrade and expand its road network to cater for a rapidly increasing population and forthcoming international events such as the Pacific Games.

“The investment we do it now so that the future can be better than today,” he said. 

“It is a bold decision but now with our economy growing we need to make this investment.”

China Harbour Engineering Co said it was looking forward to undertaking the road projects.

Meanwhile, a K77 million project has been launched to upgrade the industrial area in Gordon, in the capital as well.

Works Minister Francis Awesa was at the ground-breaking ceremony last Friday.

The contract was awarded to Global Construction, which also upgraded the road from 5-Mile roundabout to the 6-Mile market.

Parkop said business houses in Gordon had been complaining about the poor road conditions in and around the area.

He thanked the Government for the financial assistance.

Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko said the construction company  was used for the demolishment of the former Taurama Leisure Centre.

Awesa said the capital city needed to be developed.

Parkop urged the people to look after the city because the Government was providing services.

Global Construction Co  secretary Nelson Yano asked for the cooperation of businesses in the industrial area during the upgrading work.