Road Funds in Africa have been urged to secure more funding for maintenance of roads, as investing more on infrastructure will promote connectivity and unity in Africa.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the African Roads Maintenance Funds Association (ARMFA) Executive Committee Meeting hosted by the Uganda Road Fund recently, the Minister of Works and Transport General Edward Katumba Wamala said it is only through well maintained roads that movement of passengers and goods for business and leisure within the African continent can be realised.
He indicated that many countries in Africa focus on developing road infrastructure, but reserve very little for maintenance, adding that Road Funds are entrusted to provide solutions in financing and maintenance of roads and to align themselves with new developments in the sector.
He concluded by acknowledging that governments area aware that Road Fund are faced with challenges ranging from Climate change, such as floods that destruct roads and bridges, clarifying that there is need for innovative ideas to construct weather resilient roads.
In his speech, the President of ARMFA also the Chief Executive Officer of Road Fund in Cameroon Mr. Moussa Essaie indicated that ARMFA has adopted and is implementing its five-year Strategic Plan 2003-2027, which must be monitored through regular interactions between the ARMFA Executive Board and the Secretariat, headed by the Executive Secretary.
“Our Strategic Intention is to seek affiliation with strategic partners such as the African Union, World Bank, European Union and the African Development Bank to mention but a few, so as to address issues of funding for maintenance of roads,” he reiterated.
He said the meeting would also deal with preparations for the ARMFA 21st Annual General Meeting scheduled to be hosted in Abidjan, Cote D’lvoire in May 2024.
The meeting decided that the main theme for the upcoming ARMFA Annual General Meeting should be “Sustainability of Road Funds in Africa” which will guide sub themes to be decided at the focal group level.
The ARMFA Southern Africa Focal Group was represented at this meeting by the Chairperson Mr. Nkekeletse Makara, also the CEO of Road Fund Lesotho.
ARMFA is a non-profit making and non-political association that was founded in the year 2003 in Libreville, Gabon. The aim is to provide a platform and establish a network for experience and information sharing on leading road maintenance practices in Africa; to discuss and find opportunities on funding options and to promote and strengthen links between members of African Road Funds.
