DP William Ruto says 10,000km road construction set to start

Nairobi; Kenya: The Government’s ambitious plan to tarmac at least 10,000 kilometer- roads across the country will finally begin next week.

This comes in the wake of Cabinet’s approval of the Road Annuity Programme Fund, which will be implemented under Public Private Partnership arrangement.

“To show the seriousness of the implementation of the Annuity Programme, we wish to invite you for the first 650kms load for pricing and designing on March 20 so that we roll out the programme, “ said Roads Principal Secretary, John Mosonik.

Deputy President William Ruto said the Government would soon make payments for roads projects upon their completion.

He said over the years’ the Government has been encountering numerous challenges in the development and maintenance of roads. 

He cited budgetary constraints, high unit costs and escalation as some of the challenges that the Government had faced in the past saying it has led to delays and accumulation of outstanding payments.  

“ This will be a significant shift from the past practice since payments will only be made roads completed well,” he said.

Mr. Ruto said the Government has resolved to adopt the Annuity Financing Framework as a solution to challenges facing the infrastructure sector.

He said the programme, which has been tested and proven in other countries, would help eliminate corruption, which has been a major challenge in the sector.

Speaking during the 2nd-prebid conference held at the KICC, the Deputy President said wastage of public resources would be minimised when private firms are contracted to build roads and other infrastructure projects.

“ The contractors have no reason on why they should not complete their work within the stipulated period as the Government will pay them as per the agreement reached upon before the construction work,” said Mr. Ruto.

“ I am happy that we have finally come up with a programme that will eliminate wastage of variations as well as idle equipment because of design related work. With the new way of doing things, we now need to put all these behind us,” he added.

The Deputy President at the same time said days were gone when the cost of construction of roads were being inflated by unscrupulous contractors bent to fleecing the public of millions of shillings.

“ There is no rocket science, magic or something from the moon on the cost of doing roads in any part of the world especially on how much the cost of a kilometer can be as far as the construction of roads are concerned,” said Mr. Ruto.

He added, “ There is no absolute reason why a country like Australia or India can pay between Sh 15-20million per kilometer for example while here in Kenya we pay between Sh 60-80 million per kilometer. No way, we are not going back the way we did before,”

He said collaboration between the private sector and the Government was key in the development of infrastructure.

“ I have no doubt in my mind that working together in partnership with the private sector with speed up the construction of our roads and achieve the much needed development in the sector,” said the Deputy President.

“ I am sure with the approval of the Annuity Funds by the Cabinet will eliminate shadows of doubts as whether we are committed or not on matters of roads development,” added Mr. Ruto.

He told the contractors to ensure quality work on the roads saying Kenyans must get value for their money used in such work.

“ We need well designed modern roads as we pay you through the public coffers,” said Mr. Ruto.

Mr. Ruto said contractors should ensure maintenance of roads under their watch for a period of 12 years if they wished to be considered for extension of their contracts.

He said technical specifications for every road in the country have been set out saying there was no more guesswork on roads constructions.

“ Your part is to do the roads well and our part is to pay you the money on the work done, nothing else,” said Mr. Ruto.

“ Contractors should not expect the Government to pay them for roads which crack within three or four years upon completion,” he added.

Reacting on concerns by some contractors that insecurity in some areas was a challenge to them, the Deputy President assured that firm security measures have been put in place to ensure peace across the country.

“ But if you feel that you wish to have extra security arrangements with us apart from the one in place, then we are ready to do so as you concentrate on your work effectively,” said Mr. Ruto.

Roads Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau said the governance framework puts in place regulations prescribing how the funds would be managed with an oversight committee and secretariat to check on operations.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich assured the contractors that the Government would stick to the agreements on payments but on condition that they do not carry out shoddy work on the roads.

According to the programme, payments for services delivered by private contractors will be made from a Road annuity Fund that will be established for the purpose of channelling resources meant for payments for the development of road.  

The fund will guarantee the timely payment of contractors and services.  A governance structure for the Annuity Programme and Annuity Fund has been set up.