French company, Egis Road Operation S.A, which was contracted by the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to undertake Operation and Maintenance services on the Kampala—Entebbe Expressway, has subcontracted some of the work to local companies.
The firm in particular has hired Ugandan companies; Pinnacle Security Limited and Abubaker Technical Services to provide security and other maintenance services on the highway.
Under the Shs 123bn, 2-year (renewable) contract, Egis committed to subcontract up to 30% of the work to local companies.
According to UNRA, in the first 6 months of the contract, EGIS is expected to provide among others; road safety facilities, expressway lighting, security services, axle-load control/monitoring system, routine road maintenance and emergency maintenance works to ensure an appropriate level of service excellence along the expressway to the benefit of its users, at all times.
UNRA Communications Director Allan Ssempebwa told Media on Monday that Egis has since submitted a plan to increase the percentage of operations to local contractors.
Commenting on the sub contracted services, he said Pinnacle Security and Abubaker Technical Services were enlisted to “ensure safety interventions in case of accidents and to assist motorists in case of breakdowns.”
The company is currently now patrolling the Expressway on a 24/7 basis.
“On stand-by, are dedicated intervention vehicles including a fire truck, an ambulance and towing services,” he said.
“To reduce road traffic accidents, Egis will undertake to provide several safety improvements like rumble strips before the toll plazas for speed control, and additional traffic signs at accident-prone points including improvements in the drainage system to avoid water puddles”
“The installation of new fencing along the entire expressway has been initiated to replace what was vandalized. Additionally, the installation of lighting along the entire route will also be carried out in accordance with the contracted timeframe.”
Meanwhile, efforts are still ongoing install toll collection infrastructure to ensure system functionality before the tolling operations.
The Expressway was built with a loan from the Chinese Exim bank which is hoped to be repaid through the toll collections.
Mr Ssempebwa revealed that Commencement of the tolling operations and the rates to be paid by the different road users shall be communicated to the general public after clearance from the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
“UNRA together with Egis will solicit for cooperation and support from all stakeholders in the implementation of the operation and maintenance services on the Kampala—Entebbe Expressway.”
The Kampala-Entebbe expressway is currently Uganda’s only toll road with a total of three main toll plazas at Busega-Kampala, Kajjasi and Mpala and a total of 26 toll gates.
The road was constructed by the China Communications Construction Company at a cost of Shs1.8trillion, partly obtained from the Export and Import (Exim) Bank of China.
