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ByOnzoma Albert Arua city The Ayivu Division Engineering Department is planning to repair the deteriorated Ediofe – Onduparaka road, which is currently in poor condition due to neglect causing growing concern among road users. Deep gullies on both sides of the
Current state of Ediofe-Onduparaka Road (Photo by Onzoma Albert)
ByOnzoma Albert
Arua city
The Ayivu Division Engineering Department is planning to repair the deteriorated Ediofe – Onduparaka road, which is currently in poor condition due to neglect causing growing concern among road users.
Deep gullies on both sides of the road have narrowed the roadway, making it hard for two vehicles from passing simultaneously from either sides.
Bernard Abima, the Division Engineer, assured the community that soon the division will begin improving the road’s condition, with arrangements already underway.
“We have a perfect plan for that road and the good thing is that we have planned as Arua city to maintain roads under maintenance grant the money government gives every year as road funds. Out of the one billion shillings, we have planned for periodic maintenance of Ediofe-Onduparaka road which will be done in this financial year ending. We have done meetings with the community about the same road” he confirmed.
The poor state of the community access road has significantly hindered economic and social development by restricting access to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities, especially during rainy seasons when the road becomes impassable.
According to Abima, the division engineering department is utilizing funds from the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant (DDEG), road funds, and equipment acquired by Arua city to undertake improvements on multiple roads within the division.
“We currently maintaining a number of community access roads in the division using our road equipment acquired using the local revenue by Arua city and the grader is helping us a lot in the areas of road maintenance. Our priority is to work on the roads that have not been given attention for long periods of time” he added.
While urban development projects are ongoing through the UCMID initiative, many rural feeder roads remain in a state of disrepair, leading to high transportation costs and increased poverty levels in the division and the broader Arua City area.
A section of the Ediofe-Onduparaka Road (Photo by Onzoma Albert)
Arua City, with over 500 kilometers of roads, faces significant challenges due to outdated or borrowed machinery that hampers maintenance efforts.
Although recent procurement activities have started, previous shortages of operational equipment have caused delays and left substantial funds unutilized.
These infrastructural issues contribute to roads becoming impassable, which hampers daily transportation, economic activities, and access to essential services.
The department’s ongoing maintenance plans aim to restore connectivity and alleviate the negative impact of poor road conditions on the community’s social and economic well-being.