Contractor ordered to complete road works in two months to curb accidents

Mombasa,

Friday, October 6, 2023

KNA by Sadik Hassan

Mombasa County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa has directed the contractor of the Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu road to complete all pending works in two months.

Jaldesa’s directive comes in the wake of an upsurge in road accidents in the remaining five-kilometre stretch connecting to the Sh4.5 billion Makupa causeway bridge where five accidents occurred in the last five days with two causalities.

“We are here at Makupa Bridge following public concerns on safety a few days after numerous accidents occurred,” said Jaldesa who is also the chairman of the National Government Development- Mombasa County Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-CICMC).

“We have negotiated with KENHA and the contractor, and we have found out that most of the accidents are due to the uncompleted section of the road,” said Jaldesa during the tour of the Mombasa- Kwa Jomvu road.

The CC said the contractor- the China Communications and Construction Company Limited (CCCC) has received his outstanding dues and has no choice but to complete the works.

“We have given him two months to complete this remaining section incorporating drainage and pedestrian’s walkways works,” he said adding the works will commence today to avert the occurrence of more accidents.

The CC put on notice people who obstruct the road, pedestrians and motorists that stern action will be taken as a deterrent.

“Motorcyclists especially don’t observe traffic rules, they carelessly cross from one lane to the other destroying pavements. Action will be taken. Barriers will be put to separate the roads,” said Jaldesa.

Jaldesa asked motorists to be careful during the expected onset of El-Nino rains as predicted by the Kenya Meteorological Department, adding that with timely intervention by the NGD-CICMC, road accidents will reduce.

Jaldesa asked drivers coming from Changamwe through the descending lane who are usually at high speed despite there being a bridge ahead to be responsible.

“If the drivers themselves are careless, it will cause accidents. During this El-Nino period, rainwater overflowed to roads let’s be careful. We will inspect all the flooding areas in Mombasa our people should be careful,” said CC Jaldesa adding that Mombasa has a flooding problem when it rains.

The CC said they have constituted a multi-agency County Disaster Committee in anticipation of the Nino.

NGD-CICMC Secretary Mr. Benjamin Ndani said the contractor will clear all the bushes along the road to enhance visibility for motorists.

Courtesy; KNA