The Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, paid a surprise visit to the Swartz Bridge this morning to assess progress on the construction. 

The Swartz Bridge was severely damaged during the rainy season in March this year. 

"I was here around March; this bridge ought to have been constructed, or construction should have started by now. It is a great disappointment that at the end of November, nothing is happening on the site despite continuous assurances from the Roads Authority colleagues that the contractor would be on-site soon," said Nekundi.

He demanded an explanation from the Roads Authority as to why contractors are not on site and why no work has been done. Nekundi expressed frustration that the contractor was awarded the project in March, yet construction has not commenced.

Oshoveli Hiveluah, Divisional Manager for Network Development at the Roads Authority, explained that internal challenges related to consultant appointment delayed emergency work on the Swartz River Bridge. However, the issue is now resolved following an inception meeting with the contractor and consultant to finalise the demolition plan.

"We promised to start by 14 October, but this was delayed due to the challenges with the demolition plan, which we have now been working to finalise," he added.

The construction contract was awarded to OTESA Civil Engineering.