Low-cost sealing technology uses locally available materials so that small-scale contractors can construct roads using relatively little capital and labour-based methods. They provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to natural gravel surfaces, with more manageable maintenance requirements and lower transport costs.
Lira district
has injected 410 million Shillings into low-cost sealing on the road
leading to Amach Health centre IV and Amach sub-county headquarters.
Low-cost sealing technology uses locally
available materials so that small-scale contractors can construct roads using
relatively little capital and labour-based methods. They provide a
cost-effective and sustainable alternative to natural gravel surfaces,
with more manageable maintenance requirements and lower transport costs.
The technology was mainstreamed under the rural transport
infrastructure component of the U-Growth Programme and the Government of
Uganda's National Development Plan. Now, the district says it's applying the same to cater for 700 meters of the road from corner Amach to Amach Health centre IV and the sub-county.
Currently,
the road is characterized by potholes and dust which ends up settling on the
facility’s equipment. Lira District Acting Engineer Geoffrey
Ongala explains that the road was chosen
because of the existence of social services infrastructure such as the health centre,
schools, and Amach market which attracts a lot of traffic from neighbouring
districts.
//Cue in;
“We choose Amach…
Cue out…a
shorter route."//
This six-month project to be undertaken by Oryemcan
Company Ltd. will include three months of actual work and three months
of defect liability management.
Fred Okwee, the Mayor of Amach Town Council says the town council plans
to have all access roads well-constructed and believes that
the low-cost sealing will achieve its objective of controlling dust from
entering the health facility and offices.
//Cue in;
“We have chosen…
Cue out:
…the town council. //”
John Moro,
a resident of Agali Sub County believes that the development will save the
lives of patients who are rushed to the Health centre because the potholes
on the road usually cause delays and discomfort.
Luo//Cue in;
“Pire tek ni…
Cue out…akelo
I dakatal."//
Francis
Otim, a resident of Alworo cell in Bungamon ward is optimistic that the development will boost
their businesses.
//Cue in;
“If they are…
Cue out…this
and that."//
Meanwhile,
Griffin Olila, a resident of Ateri village in Banya parish believes that the
road should first be expanded before the low-cost sealing is installed because
it is too small and the sealing will be eroded in no time.
Luo//Cue in;
“Yoo me Amach…
Cue out…me top wic." //
In previous years, Lira District has started the installation of low-cost sealing on
roads leading to institutions for example Lira University in the then Lira Sub-county and another leading to Dr Obote College Boroboro in the then Adekokwok sub-county. However, with the coming of the city, the two sub-counties were annexed to the city and the district could not continue with the projects.
