The rehabilitation of Tombe-Nyaikuro road has been halted following protests by a section of residents near Nyaikuro trading center demanding to be included in the team of casual labourers.
This comes after months of intrigues with contractors forced to halt the construction temporarily in the recent weeks to solve the problem.
On Thursday, the angry residents led by former Nyaikuro councilor Kefa Sure accused the county government of denying locals the opportunity to make a living out of the construction.
“We had tabled the issue in the County Assembly’s Roads Committee and they agreed to talk to contractors to solve the issue. It is not right that they are hiring casual labourers from distant villages yet we have our children who can provide it at cheap cost,” he said.
He denied being used by Governor John Nyagarama’s opponents to oppose the project as an effective impediment to development before 2017 polls.
“The rumor that I have been hired by an aspirant to paralyse development is just a myth. We all need these roads but it will be effective if we use local labours in doing certain jobs as a way of empowering our youth and an appreciation to the community,” he said.
County Assembly roads committee chairman who is also Rigoma Ward Rep Ben Sironga urged residents to allow the contractor finish his job to facilitate transit of farm produce.
“We understand your plea but it is too late. They had commenced the project from Tombe and they are in the homestretch, just give them time as the issue will not be repeated again because as leaders we learn from mistakes,” he said.