According to Northeastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, the contractor has committed to complete the project within the 24-month’ timeline set in the contract timelines.
Once the new bridge is completed, the 43-year-old bridge currently in use will serve light traffic, such as pedestrians, bodaboda riders, and livestock.
“This project was set to be implemented within 24 months, and it is set to be completed by December of this year,” Otieno said. “We have engaged the contractor, and we are happy with the progress status of this project, and from the look of it, it will be completed within the set timeline,” he added.
The new bridge, spanning approximately 150 metres long, is estimated to cost Sh1.77 billion and is a crucial infrastructure
development aimed at accommodating the increasing volume of traffic to and out
of the region.
Once the new bridge is completed, the 43-year-old
bridge currently in use will serve light traffic, such as pedestrians, bodaboda
riders, and livestock. The regional team also inspected the readiness of the
immigration offices in Garissa town, which are expected to be officially
commissioned by President Ruto when he tours the region next month. At the passport office, Otieno said that the facility
will allow residents of the region to apply for passports drastically cutting
down the cost and time of acquiring the same in Nairobi or Mombasa. The two projects will be part of the project the
president will inspect and/or commission during his tour.The Regional Implementation, Coordination and Management
Committee led by Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno at the Tana River Bridge.
The regional commissioner called on area residents to
support government projects, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in achieving
development goals.
"We urge the public to support government
projects. This will enable the committee to get information when it comes to
challenges on implementation and how best we can be able to unlock these
bottlenecks,” Otieno noted.
Meanwhile, Northeastern regional commissioner John
Otieno has called regional heads to familiarise themselves with government
projects, programs, and policies so that they share the correct information
with members of the public.
Making his opening remarks when he chaired the
Regional Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee in his
boardroom, Otieno said that civil servants ‘cannot be part of those lamenting
about government projects and other services’.
“You should have all the information on projects,
programmes and services within your department. This will ensure that
challenges facing the same are unlocked and delivered within the set
timelines,” he said.
The ongoing construction of the Tana River Bridge
The Regional Implementation, Coordination and Management
Committee led by Northeastern regional commissioner John Otieno at the Tana River Bridge.