Feeder roads network still a challenge, says report

Despite its importance, the district roads network still pose a challenge with only 15 per cent of roads in good condition out of 31 per cent projected in the EDPRS-1, a sector performance report says.This was observed on Monday during a Transport Joint Sector Review meeting that brought together various sector actors, representatives from donor organizations, civil society, and provinces to discuss achievements, challenges and the way forward. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, James Kamanzi, said the meeting was expected to provide ideas on how to best perk up the transport sector. The country’s transport sector consists of four key institutions, including Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), Road Maintenance Fund (RMF), Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority and ONATRACOM.Kamanzi said the performance of the district road network is ranked low because of different methods that need to be consolidated.“A lot has been achieved in the unpaved road network but the figure presented is low. They will need to consult and decide on the standard method to be used,” Kamanzi pointed out. He, however, said the sector performed well in building and rehabilitating roads at 70 per cent out of the 56 per cent planned. “We have to do more on the feeder road network to have good results and develop a strategy for maintenance,” said a participant representing the African Development Bank.The report says that the overall transport sector performance for 2011/12 is on track with the budget execution standing at 70 per cent with the remaining 30 per cent expected to be implemented at the end of this fiscal year in June.Among the challenges mentioned are delays in completion of work and lack of personnel to supervise and implement projects.“We are trying to put up guidelines, because at times, the contractors are overstretched and not committed to undertake the contract on time and provide the quality required,” Kamanzi lamented.Last year, the feeder road network was initiated with a projection that it would contribute to the district road network.Development partners who have contributed to the development of the 2,850km of feeder roads across the country include USAID which pledged $40m to rehabilitate 1,000km of roads in eight districts, and the Netherlands which will provide Euro10m to restore 550km in five districts. Other development partners are the World Bank, which promised a total of $45m to rehabilitate between 400-600km in four districts, and the European Union, which will contribute Euro36m to develop 700km in seven districts with the intention of adding another two districts that are yet to be identified.The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with RTDA, will identify the priority feeder roads.

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Feeder roads network still a challenge, says report