Traders in Mbale town are threatening to demonstrate over the stalled 560 million shillings Naboa road project. The traders claim that the stalled road works has led to a drop in their sales because customers cannot reach their outlets.
Work on the four kilometer road in the Mbale central business district is six months behind schedule. In July a tendard was awarded to Omega Construction to tarmac the road. It was to be complete by December 31st.
No major work has been undertaken by the contractor since the road was graded in the first week of July. Now traders are demanding that the authorities take action to complete the stalled project.
Michael Wamera of Berkley Hardware on Naboa Road says customers are abandoning his shop because of the closed road. He he has since been forced to stop selling cement because it is a heavy product and vehicles cannot access his shop.
Ahmed Serubi, a dealer in garments, says the dust from the road makes the clothes dirty and unattractive to customers. He says the road used to have heavy traffic, but is now deserted.
A lady, who only identified herself as Teddy of Ambience Saloon, said she is forced ot clean her salon several times a day just to keep her customers.
The Deputy Town Clerk of Mbale Municipality, Kenneth Khatuli Waniaye, says Omega Construction has notified the municipal council about the delays. The company said because one of the machines used for mixing bitumen is faulty.
Waniaye says the council might be forced to cancel the tender unless the comapny resumes work by the end of this month.
