INFRASTRUCTURE - Members of Parliament have expressed concern on the bad state of newly constructed roads despite the country’s big expenditure on infrastructure. Most newly constructed roads have developed potholes few months after, MPs said. Finance Minister James Musoni allocated Frw103 billion, the biggest allocation, to the Infrastructure ministry in the 2008 budgetary proposals presented to the House on Monday. The deputies let out their concerns this week as the Minister of Infrastructure Stanislas Kamanzi laboured to explain the strides taken by his ministry in developing the country’s infrastructure.

They particularly cited the Kicukiro-Nyamata-Nemba Road, which they said lacks water trenches.

"The water coming off the road has continuously posed a problem to the neighbors,” one of the MPs said.

MP Emmanuel Mugabowindekwe (PL) said that the problem needs to be addressed as soon as possible because it’s a rainy season and people might heavily be affected.

Deputy Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi (RPF) said that because of poor drainage on the roadside, water from Niboye to Kicukiro centre, is causing serious problems to the people and environment. The road has no humps around busy spots like schools and is likely to cause accidents, he added.

MP Abbas Mukama (PDI) said that road constructors repeatedly destroyed underground water pipes and electricity cables, putting the burden on citizens to pay for the damages.
"We want constructors to start paying for the damages caused in the course of their work,” Mukama charged.

Minister Kamanzi said that the problem of poor drainage on the roads has been considered and would be solved soon.

He explained that plans were underway to relocate and compensate people whose houses were damaged or formally occupied the road passes.

"Local authorities are registering those people who had their property damaged, and over Frw47 million is reserved for the exercise,” he said.
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