By Sabir Musa

Arua City

Arua City leaders have made an appeal for community to ensure ownership of road infrastructure and protect them as these facilitates development of the city.

This appeal from the leaders follows several cases of vandalism registered in the city that has seen many roads destroyed and other components liked streetlights stolen.

Arua City Mayor, Wadri Sam Nyakua point out a practice of blocking roads community members which he says affects quality of the roads. “I want to appeal to community that when we make the roads they should not block because there are people who make access to their homes so they bring back soil and block, so now when it rains the runoff water decides to cut across the road” the Mayor appeals.

By the ends of last year, several streetlights along major streets in the city were destroyed, some solar panels and batteries stolen.
This according to leaders in the city are still under investigation by security team.

Ayivu Division Mayor, Malon Avutia calls for ownership of the roads by community as they help in easy movement of goods and people, contributing to development. “We don’t make these roads to ourselves as leaders, these are for us and community.

I would expect our technical staffs liaise with us so that we mobilize community for them to know the scope of work we are going to do then aspect of sensitization on protection of the facility can also take place” he says.

Although a Youth Leader in Arua Central Division, Samad Omar pledge cooperation with the city officials, he challenge the council to prioritize maintenance of roads that are in poor state, pointing out one that they have considered voluntary community service to maintain.

Arua City Roads Committee recently resolved to use last financial year’s road fund balance worth 80 million to upgrade state of 4 major roads in the city.

COVER PHOTO: One of the streets in Arua City that links Ediofe Cathedral to Business Centre  recently connected to solar powered streetlights By Sabir Musa