Lack of public participation behind the stalling of projects

The Mountain Journal

 Concerns have been raised over stalled
development projects countrywide due to lack of the implementing agencies
conducting  effective public participation
forums.

The Parliamentary Housing
and Public Works Committee has underscored the need for those concerns to
be conducting  the public
participation  forums involving every
body.

 The  committee led by Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno
after touring various  counties  expressed displeasure over the stalled
programmes, owing to failure  to consult
the residents at the implementations.

 This week the 
committee toured the counties of Murang’a and Kirinyaga where they
discovered there were stalled projects that were funded by the national
government between 2008 and 2012.

“ It is evident that
despite millions of shillings spent  the
projects remain neglected  with the
locals protesting over their location, designs  and colour.

Photo/ Parliamentary Committee on Housing and Public Works inspects  Kangari market  funded by the national government at Sh342 million. The Project is at 67 percent complete.

  In Murang’a
County,  the team said  there are projects, Kangari modern
market  which is at 67 percent complete
with injection of Sh342million, Muthithi market Sh101million,  and
Kanyenya ini  market at Sh31million.

Ngeno emphasized to
the local leaderships at the 
counties  to in future be involving  the public through the forums before
embarking on the implementation of projects. 

Ngeno cited the
majority of markets done between 2008 and 2012.

“There are EPS
markets that spent millions of shillings, but have remained unused due to lack of
involvement with the locals,” said Ngeno.

On housing, the team
said there is a need for consultation before the construction of affordable
houses to ensure they will be occupied upon completion.

The location of the
programme, he said, is vital which can be achieved through public participation
and involving all the residents. 

“Through
consultations with Murang’a Governor affordable houses will be done in slum
areas to achieve the desired target of President William Ruto’s
government,” said Ngeno.

Kang’ata on his part
said his administration in one year has managed to construct market sheds at
Maragua, Kambiti,Kihoya, Gitugi thus uplifting the standard of the traders.

“We are upgrading towns by doing tarmacs in the market centres at  Gatura,
Kabati,Kangari. Other towns benefitting are Maragua,Gakira, Murang’a town and
Kiria ini,”said Kang’ata.

 www.themountainjournal.co.ke

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