Tana Bridge Project ahead of schedule, says Regional Commissioner

Grace Nyawira-KNA

The construction of the new Tana bridge which will serve as the gateway to the North-Eastern region is on course and will be completed by December this year.

According to North-Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, the contractor has committed to complete the project within the 24 months’ timeline set in the contract timelines.

Addressing the press after leading the Regional Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee in inspecting the progress of various projects within Garissa County, Otieno said that the new bridge that serves the three counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera will be a game changer to the region.

“This project was set to be implemented within 24 months, and it is set to be completed by December of this year,” Otieno said.   

“We have engaged the contractor, and we are happy with the progress status of this project and from the look of it will be completed within the set timeline,” he added.  

The new bridge, spanning approximately 150 meters long, is estimated to cost Sh1.77 billion and is a crucial infrastructure development aimed at accommodating the increasing volume of traffic to and out of the region.

Once the new bridge is completed, the 43-year-old bridge currently in use will serve light traffic, such as pedestrians, bodaboda riders and livestock.

The regional team also inspected the readiness of the immigration offices in Garissa town which is expected to be officially commissioned by President Ruto when he tours the region from next month.

At the passport office, Otieno said the facility will allow residents of the region to apply for passports, drastically cutting down the cost and time of acquiring the same in Nairobi or Mombasa.

The two projects will be part of the project the president will inspect and or commission during his tour.

The regional commissioner called on area residents to support government projects, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in achieving development goals.

"We urge the public to support government projects. This will enable the committee to get information when it comes to challenges on implementation and how best we can be able to unlock these bottlenecks,” Otieno noted.

Meanwhile, Mr Otieno called regional heads to familiarize themselves with government projects, programmes and policies so that they share the correct information with members of the public.

Making his opening remarks when he chaired the Regional Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee, the regional commissioner cautioned civil servants saying they cannot be part of those lamenting about government projects and other services.

“You should have all the information on projects, programmes and services within your department. This will ensure that challenges facing the same are unlocked and delivered within the set timelines,” he said.