Kampala — WORKS minister, John Nasasira, has ordered Salini Construttori, the contractor of the Kampala Northern Bypass, to wind-up works on the project by the end of this month.

"About 95% of works are complete, but I have directed Salini to finish everything by the end of this month. We expect to officially launch it in December," he told a press briefing at Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala last week.

Nasasira added that while the 21-km road stretch was opened to traffic in October, it was not fully complete.

He urged motorists to embrace the new road and de-congest traffic in the city centre.

"The bypass is at a point where it is safe to use. What is missing will be fixed in due course," he said.

The by-pass project stretches from Bweyogerere-Naalya- Kiwatule-Kyebando- Kalerwe, Bwaise- Hoima road near Namungoona-Kawaala and Busega, all city suburbs.

The project was started in 2004 and was to wind-up in November 2006.

The three-year delay pushed the cost from the initial sh87b to sh120b.

Nasasira's directive follows a tirade by MPs who accused the Government on being 'soft' on Salini, saying this was the reason the project was not winding up.

Led by Eng. Abraham Byandala, the parliamentary physical infrastructure committee chief, they accused the Italian firm of doing "bit-part" works on the project.

"A few things have not been finished on the by-pass such as connecting new roads to other infrastructures. The Government should ensure that this and other missing links are fixed soon," he said.

Baba Diri, the Koboko MP, noted that not all road safety signals and lights had been installed which could lead to loss of lives if they are worked on soon.