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.
Hitherto, 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 3133
km, which makes the regional road density
to be 33 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.
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