Busia county government has set aside Kshs 68 million to light up several centres across the County. County Executive Committee Member for Public Works, Roads, Transport and Energy Bernard Yaite has revealed.
Addressing the press in his office, Yaite said the county government has partnered with the national government through Kenya Power and Lighting Company to ensure county residents benefit fully from electricity.
“The budget entails buying additional transformers, including extending the power lines. We are waiting for the Fiscal Strategy paper from the County Assembly before we roll out the programme,” he said.
The CEC also disclosed that the tarmacking of 8.8 km of roads within the central business district leading to estates in Busia and Malaba will commence on January 15th, 2017.
The procurement process was rigorous, thus the delay to start the exercise by at least one week, “Contractors will be on site by mid-January to kickstart the process which will be completed by end of June,” he said.
Yaite said the county government under the leadership of governor Sospeter Ojaamong has made big strides in the sector with numerous achievements since devolution came into effect in 2013.
“A total of 1,400km of roads have been opened including new and rehabilitated roads. We have also built two modern bridges at Bulwani in Butula and Kobosokipi in Teso South. These have opened up effective connectivity within the Sub County, Ward and village levels. The purchase of road equipment has boosted the sector. We have also increased the number of personnel. The number of engineers has increased from one to three. We have seven road and 14 building inspectors,” he said.
Yaite said the County Government has constructed 112 culverts across the seven Sub Counties.