Nyeri sets aside Sh400m to improve roads

The county has set aside Sh400 million for repair and maintenance of roads.

Roads to be given priority are those leading to agriculturally productive areas, according to Transport and Infrastructure executive Joseph Muthike.

Dr Muthike said most roads were destroyed last year during El Nino rains and have not been repaired due to lack of funds.

"Farmers have suffered the most as they have been unable to take their produce to the markets," he said.

Those that will be prioritised include Kutus –Kiamichiri- Ithareini –Kiangombe road, Mururi-Kiamutugu road Njega- Kagumo and Kianyaga-Karumandi roadsd.

The money was allocated in the 2016/2017 budget that MCAs passed recently and will be shared equally among the 20 wards.

"Just like other counties, we too have have had serious challenges with our roads because of financial constraints. Also, the fact that there had been no clear distinction on the roads under county governments and those under the national Government was also a major challenge. However, the issue was sorted out in December last year.

Governor Joseph Ndathi said, during a public forum on budget making, residents demanded that more money be provided to repair dilapidated roads.

"I have traversed the entire county and seen for myself, the poor state of roads after many years of neglect. But in the next few weeks, we will start re-carpeting the roads," Ndathi said.

 He added: "Our county's economy heavily relies on agriculture and that is why we need to pay more attention to roads which needs improvement. We also need to upgrade the feeder roads to enable farmers deliver their produce to the markets with ease."

"We know some commodities such as milk would spoil if not taken to the market in good time, hence our commitment to improve roads."

Road leading

Meanwhile, Meru Governor Peter Munya has asked the Government to urgently tarmac the road leading to Kiegoi Tea Factory.

He lamented that the poor state of the road has hampered delivery of tea leaves to the factory.

The governor who was responding to calls by farmers who want the road tarmacked at the same time launched a project to upgrade 35 kilometers in each of the 45 wards.

"We are also laying emphasis on opening up new roads to enable farmer ferry their produce to the market with ease. Poor roads translate into high transpiration costs and we want to save farmers that agony," said Munya yesterday.