Kisumu Roads executive nominee Faridah Salim has vowed to reform the department, including issues related to pending bills.
Salim, while appearing before county assembly appointment committee on Tuesday, said she was up to the task of leading the department.
She said that she had a wealth of experience from her previous postings to manage the docket and provide adequate services to the people of Kisumu.
She highlighted to the committee that she served as a treasurer in CDF in one of the constituencies for three years, was a city board member for four years.
She said she also serves in the committee for planning and infrastructure and had a four year stint as a legislature.
“I qualify and meet the criteria on appointment. At the same time I believe I have lots of useful knowledge to ensure this department thrives,”Salim said.
She was put to task by speaker Elisha Oraro who is the chair of the committee to explain how she will handle the issues of pending bills that has been a challenge in the county.
Salim said that she dealt with the matter in her time as an MCA .
She said together with her colleagues they pushed for detailed information on the done projects, those yet to be paid for, those paid for and any other details.
She said that despite pushing for that detailed information, until they left the assembly, they never got the details on the bills neither the funds required to clear them.
“Maybe if the second assembly received it, I will be looking forward to get the information because you cannot pay money to what you don’t know, that is contrary to the oversight role of the county assembly”
When questioned on how she will handle the issue of public participation, Faridah stated that being in the managerial position she will ensure that there is adequate involvement.
Nominated MCA Aslam Khan asked Salim to explain how she will tackle the issue of road maintenance which is a big problem.
Khan said that there were fears that some of the roads were recycled each budget period and the matter was now a thorn in the flesh hence Salim should state the mechanism she will put in place to address this.
Salim noted that indeed the challenge of contractors' matters was troubling adding that the same problem also featured within the city board.
She noted that once in office, she will have a one on one talk with the contractors and another meeting with the roads department to highlight the challenges faced and how they will be addressed.
“I will set the record straight and put various policies forward. If need be I will sanction those who don't meet the required standards,”Salim said
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has nominated Salim as the Roads executive this month.
The position fell vacant following the exit of Joyce Osogo who is eyeing the Homa Bay woman representative seat in the August polls.
In an advert in the local dailies last week, the assembly clerk said Salim will appear before the appointment committee on March 15.
The matter was tabled before the assembly on March 3 and committed to the appointment committee.
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)
