Wajir governor Abdullahi thanks donors as he inaugurates tarmacking of key settlements

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has thanked donors whom he said have continued to support his administration in infrastructural development.

Abdullahi said that roads are one of the most important infrastructural assets and a key ingredient in development.

He spoke in Wajir town when he officially inaugurated the tarmacking of key settlements: Bulla Jogoo, Barwaqo, Hodhan, Shelletey, Wagberi, and Halane, encompassing 8.2 kilometres under Lot 1, with an additional 7 kilometres under Lots 2 and 3.

He was accompanied by several county officials among them his deputy Ahmed Muhumed.

The project is aimed at upgrading roads to bitumen standards and also includes the installation of side drains, streetlights, and floodlights.

The governor said that the county can only do so much with its merger funds considering how expensive it is to construct a road

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our donors, including the World Bank, whose invaluable support through the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) has funded the tarmacking of 2.7 kilometres of two crucial roads in Wajir town: Airport Road and Orahey-Frontier Road,” said Abdullahi.

Abdullahi who was the pioneer governor said that he has always been passionate about enhancing infrastructure, the reason why prioritised tarmacking the town and its feeder roads.

From 2014 to 2017, Governor Abdullahi’s administration paved 28 kilometres in Wajir town which he noted fostered connectivity and fueled economic growth within the municipality.

“I believe that any economy needs reliable infrastructure that powers business, connects supply chains, moves goods and services, and above all creates opportunities with communities. Since 2014, the County has been committed to upgrading our town's road network, prioritising key routes for tarmacking,” he said.

Early this year, a delegation from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) visited Wajir where they held a meeting with the governor and announced the construction of an additional 65 kilometres of urban tarmac roads within Wajir Municipality.

Abdullahi said upon completion, ten counties will boast a total of 100.7 kilometres of tarmac.