Roads chief officer Geoffrey Tanui in his office after a meeting with county engineers
Uasin Gishu has pledged to expedite payments to contractors involved in road construction and other development projects in a bid to improve project delivery and eliminate pending bills.
Roads chief officer Geoffrey Tanui said the county is keen to ensure contractors are paid on time, noting delayed payments often affect the pace and quality of project implementation.
He spoke during a meeting with road engineers aimed at improving efficiency in the tendering and payment processes for contractors.
Tanui said the county would strengthen collaboration with the finance department to hasten payment procedures and ensure projects are completed within agreed timelines.
The county will also sensitise contractors on the requirements of the current payment system.
“We will also streamline the evaluation and documentation of completed and ongoing projects in the county,” Tanui said.
He said the county would ensure clear communication between the roads department, procurement section and contractors.
“We have to be clear on project timelines, especially regarding the number of days required to respond at each stage,” Tanui said.
The meeting was attended by director for roads Julius Ronoh and his deputy Linus Yego.
Meanwhile, the county is in the process of installing an asphalt plant in Eldoret that is expected to enhance road improvement works in the region.
The plant, estimated to cost about Sh200 million, is expected to boost efforts to upgrade roads to bitumen standards while improving efficiency in infrastructure development.
Governor Jonathan Bii, accompanied by roads executive Abraham Serem and chief officer Geoffrey Tanui, recently inspected the ongoing installation works to assess progress.
The governor said the plant would not only guarantee a steady supply of asphalt but also help reduce road construction costs by up to 50 per cent.
“The funds that we save by reducing road construction costs as a result of this asphalt plant can then be redirected to other development projects, thereby benefiting Uasin Gishu residents,” Bii said.
The project is also expected to stimulate local economic activity by creating employment opportunities in plant operations, construction and maintenance.
Bii said the county would accelerate road improvement projects once the plant becomes operational.
He said improved infrastructure would have a positive impact on agriculture, trade and other sectors of the economy.
According to the governor, the county has improved more than 1,500 kilometres of rural roads, easing the transportation of farm inputs and produce for farmers.
He said infrastructure development remains a key pillar of his administration’s agenda, with investments aimed at generating economic benefits, particularly for rural communities that depend heavily on agriculture.
The county has also partnered with the World Bank to construct roads within informal settlements in Eldoret, where tarmacked roads have already been completed in Maili Nne, West and Shauri estates.
“Our target is to have better roads in urban and rural areas so farmers and traders can operate more easily, enhancing the growth of our economy,” Bii said.
