ROAD
The importance of roads
in general and rural roads in particular
in promoting development is unquestionable.
The expansion of road infrastructure helps
the physically isolated people to have
access to service centers. In addition,
the marketing of inputs and outputs, especially
in our rural development endeavor, would
be strengthened through the expansion
of rural roads. The regional government
has established the Rural Roads Authority
(RRA) with a mandate to design, construct,
and supervise the construction and maintenance
of rural roads in the region. The authority,
since its establishment has made a stride
to improve the rural roads network of
the region.
Almost all Weredas, except
two, are connected to the national road
network. In general, the total length
of rural roads under the jurisdiction
of RRA is about 6828.1 km, which makes
the regional road density to be 43.5 km
per 1000 km2. This implies that quite
a number of people, especially in rural
areas, are still traveling long distances
to reach the main roads to get transportation
services. In addition, farmers are unable
to get inputs timely and sale their products
to better markets. The construction of
new schools, health centers, agricultural
input stores, supply of relief aid, etc
would be difficult in remote and inaccessible
areas.
Thus, further attention
should be given to promote rural roads
construction and maintenance. Particularly,
the implementation of the new Rural Transport
and Travel (RTTP) program should be strengthened.
The participation of the community in
the construction and maintenance of roads
below RR30 should be encouraged. Furthermore,
close collaboration between the regional
government and the Ethiopia Roads Authority
(ERA) should be reinforced in order to
facilitate the construction and maintenance
of new roads in the region under the jurisdiction
of ERA.
|
