By Peter Abanabasazi
Capital Abubaker Technical and General Supplies Limited, a company that was contracted by the ministry of lands, housing and urban development to implement a Sh15.9 billion road project in Kikuube district is concerned over the community failure to support the project over compensation claims.

The project funded by the World Bank under the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project -ARSDP focuses on rehabilitating and widening of six roads which have been in a poor state for years.

The upgrade of the 70.3km roads from the current state to first class marrum is in the sub counties of Kyangwali, Buhimba and Kizirafumbi and the town councils Buhimba and Kizirafumbi.

The roads to be worked on include Kinogozi-Kihabwemi-Kigaya 13.95KM, Kabanyansi-Musaijamukuru 12.40km, Kigaya-Kitindura-Kikuube 14.85km and Kiziranfumbi-Kichakanya-Ruhunga road 16 KM. Others are Bukinda-Nguse road 5.20KM and Kyangwali-Tontema-Mahamba roads 7.30KM.

The Project Site Engineer, Charles Odong in his progress report explains that several residents have denied the contractor the right of way to expand the road as they demand for the compensation.

Steven Asera Itaaza, the Buhaguzi East Member of Parliament and Chairperson of Kikuube district roads committee said that he was disappointed by local communities blocking the project demanding for compensation. He notes that before the project started, they engaged the project affected persons and informed them that the project had no component of compensation.

However, he challenged the contractor to consider local content and offer opportunity to the local communities to ensure that they own and support the project.