Oyam district roads committee criticises businessmen for road deterioration

10 January 2025, 8:34 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

The Oyam District Roads Committee, led by Hon. Santa Alum Ogwang, Woman MP for Oyam district, has raised concerns over the rapid deterioration of newly constructed roads, attributing the issue to overloading by business transporters.

Following a recent survey, the committee, along with key district officials, found that produce dealers and transporters are misusing roads by carrying loads exceeding the roads’ designed capacity.

Their findings revealed that, although some roads were recently rehabilitated, they have already suffered significant damage due to overuse.

Addressing the press, Hon. Santa Alum highlighted that roads are frequently damaged by businessmen transporting agricultural produce and construction materials using trucks that exceed the roads’ tonnage limits.

She urged business owners to adhere to load limits to prolong the lifespan of existing roads and reduce maintenance costs, which could be better used for constructing new roads. “Some roads are barely a few months old but are already in poor condition due to misuse. We must all play our part in protecting public infrastructure,” Alum stated.

Eng. George Okite Okeng added that roads are technically designed with specific carrying capacities that must be respected. He warned that transporting loads beyond the designated limit weakens the roads and shortens their lifespan.

Hon. Benson Walter Dila Oyuku, the Oyam District LC5 Chairperson, pointed out specific examples of damaged roads, citing the road linking Otwal Station to Iceme, which has been significantly affected by overloaded trucks transporting produce.

He also cautioned residents living along road reserves to avoid harmful activities, such as digging for brick-making or ploughing along road banks, which expose the roads to erosion and flooding.

Stalon Olong, Chairman of the Oyam Town Council Business Community and owner of Stalon Enterprises and Oyam Waa Petrol Station, acknowledged the issue but pointed out the lack of alternative good roads.

He appealed to the government to increase investment in road infrastructure to ease the pressure on smaller access roads.

Meanwhile, Stephen Okullo Wilobo, a renowned produce dealer from Kamdini sub county, refuted claims that businessmen deliberately damage roads, attributing the problem to poor construction and maintenance.

Oyam district currently has over 557 km of roads, which the district must maintain with a budget of 1 billion shillings, according to the district road committee.