Nema should hasten approvals for roadworks

Allegations by an Israeli road construction firm this week that the building of the Mau Summit-Kericho-Kisumu highway has delayed because they have been waiting for the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) to give approvals were depressing.

The construction of this key segment of the 1,200km Northern Corridor that links Mombasa and Busia is behind schedule by a year. It goes without saying that when contractors overshoot their work timelines, the cost of construction inevitably goes up and the extra cost is borne by the taxpayer.