Radio Apac
Apac USMID road works: World Bank sets deadline to contractor over delays
27 October 2023, 2:04 pm
By Mike Okwang Ogule & Isaac Newton Abili
World Bank has given till end of December 2023 to Abubaker Technical Services, the contractor heading the construction of USMID roads in Apac Municipality.
A team from World Bank was last week inspecting the progress of Uganda support to municipal infrastructure development (USMID) project within Apac Municipality in the company of Apac district and Municipal authorities.
Both teams were so demoralized with what was on ground since it’s the fourth time the deadline is being set for the road in question to be completed.
In June 2022, Abubaker Technical Services applied for a six-month extension citing inability to deliver the project due to the effects of Covid-19.
Report shows that again In December 2022, there was an application for another extension up to March 2023 where the contractor highlighted the effects brought about by the second wave of Covid-19.
There was also another application In October 16th 2023 where the contractor again requested for an extension citing still the effects of the deadly coronavirus.
The Apac Municipal Mayor Mr. Ongom Patrick Eyul said the delay has greatly affected the smooth operation of businesses within the municipality which calls for an urgent attention.
Ongom however said as Apac Municipality they were already on the verge of starting to routinely chop Shs. 8 million from the account of the contractor citing time that has so far been wasted.
Timothy Waisaza who represented Abubaker Technical Services acknowledged the delays saying the construction which he says is now 79 per cent done will be delivered intime as per their request.
In her response to the request at Mayov Hotel Apac Municipality, Ms. Phan Huyen, the senior Urban Specialist with World Bank bitterly granted to the contractor up to December 29th 2023 to deliver a complete project or face suspension with cost.
Huyen says there won’t be additional contract extension for the contractors under Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development, (USMID) program since majority of the running World Bank projects end by December 31, 2023.
George Abdul, the Apac Resident District Commissioner while closing the meeting warned Abubaker Technical Services against extending the contract citing Covid-19, adding that the disease has passed and it shouldn’t be their leaning attributes to date.
The 1.6 km road which is being constructed under Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development, (USMID) in Apac Municipality was handed over to Abubaker Technical Services in June 31, 2021, and will coast Shs16.9 billion.