THE government has opened tenders for the construction of 10,000km roads under the annuity programme in the Ministry of Infrastructure.

More than 100 bidders went to the ministry offices to secure the tenders yesterday.

Infrastructure PS John Mosonik said more than 60 per cent of the tenders are likely to go to international companies.

He however said the tenders will be awarded fairly.

"A project team has been set up in the ministry from the three implementing agencies and 40 officers have been trained on project preparation, procurement and management. The procurement will be conducted in an open and transparent manner," Mosonik said.

He said evaluation teams will start the exercise immediately.

The PS said the selection and procurement process are expected to deliver the contracts for the roads by December before launching the project in January this year.

He said the programme is part of government's target to pave 10,000km in five years at around Sh260 billion .

Kenya National Highways Authority Engineer Samuel Okech said congestion is a challenge in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Eldoret despite efforts by the government to build more roads.

He said the government is building by-passes.

Source : allafrica.com

Posted on : 30 Nov,-0001