Nairobi — The Ministry of Roads and Public Works has finally unveiled details of the ambitious concessioning programme that will see major highways funded and built by private firms.

The announcement came with details on the first roads to be constructed under the programme, beginning with an elevated highway over Uhuru Highway in Nairobi, as well as other roads meant to ease traffic congestion in the city and environs.

By the time the announcement was being made, we hope the problems that have delayed most of the road programmes had been resolved. Too many important projects have been delayed due to bureaucracy somewhere between the Roads ministry, the Treasury and donors.

It has been taking as long as three years for work to start even after funds have been set aside for a project and bids invited.

Those sceptical over the date given for the latest project might be excused, going by recent experiences. June next year might seem a long time away. It is not and we will expect that by the time it creeps around, work will be in progress.

By then also, we hope, any lingering questions about road concessions will have been adequately answered. The road tolls must be modest enough not to be punitive. And there will be questions about double taxation.

Years have passed since the Government dismantled toll stations, and replaced them with a levy at the petrol pump which netted all motorists without discrimination.

Now motorists using the "private" road will again have to stop by a toll station, and yet they will also be paying the levy. This is one issue that will have to be clarified.

Meanwhile, as we move towards a new era of elevated highways and spaghetti junctions, let us not forget the basics.

Too many of our roads are in terrible state because they were badly constructed in the first place, and not maintained afterwards. Unless such basics are addressed, we might as well forget the great leap forward.