Our Reporter3/11/2022
The First Deputy Prime Minister Hon Rebecca Kadaga yesterday commisioned and handed over Ojonai bridge and dam in at Apedur Subcounty, Amuria district.
The Bridge construction works commenced on 17th June, 2019 and were substantially completed on 19th November 2019.
During the commissioning ceremony, Kadaga said that government recognizes the important role that district and community access roads play in the socioeconomic development of the country.
She added that when NRM Government took over power in 1986, one of its main strategies in revamping and developing the country’s economy has been the development of transport infrastructure; with focus mainly having been roads.
"Accordingly, when Amuria District Local Government made a plea to Government to have an intervention across this swamp, the Ministry had to look within its budget allocation to see how the costs of this bridge could be accommodated." Rebecca Kadaga added.
Ojonai Bridge and Dam after its completion
Image source: Ministry of Works and transport
Kadaga thanked the ministry of works and transport for considering M/s SAED Technical Services Ltd which is a local construction company,saying that this is inline with the government's policy of promoting local content particularly in the construction industry.
According to the Permanent Secretary,Ministry of Works and Transport Mr Bageya Waiswa, the Bridge provides access for users from Soroti to the Grad-A weekly market at Akoromit Sub-county in Kapelebyong District. It also connect to the road from Amuria to Asamuk in Katakwi District, ultimately to the road from Soroti to Moroto District.
"The previously existing crossing at this location lacked capacity to control flooding. Using vehicles during rainy seasons was risky and a number of fatalities caused by flooding were registered." Mr Waiswa added
It is said that Amuria District Local Government made a request to the Government for intervention and accordingly, but the Ministry still had many unfunded bridging interventions lined up, construction of the bridge structure at this site was prioritized. The appropriate intervention was to build a 3-Cell box culvert, relief culverts and a retention dam.
SAED technical services Ltd, a local contractor, was contracted to carry out the construction at a cost of UGX 1,943,404,540 and the scope of works included:
- Construction of a Triple cell Box culvert (3m*3m);
- Construction of relief culverts (53m);
- Construction of gravel approach roads (500m either side);
- River training and protection works including erosion protection of embankments; and
- Re-construction of the dilapidated dam (100,000m3).
"I therefore wish to call upon everyone to jealously guard this bridge in order for the local communities and the country at large to derive maximum benefits from this investment. Specifically, there is need to guard against theft and vandalism of bridge furniture like handrails and road signs; as well as other elements such as gabion boxes." The permanent secretary further said
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