By SARAH MWANZA –
WORKS to upgrade three newly-created districts of Southern Province have so far reached 60 per cent.
The works cover Kazungula, Zimba and Chikankata districts.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications buildings director, Danny Mfune said the contractors had performed the works at an appreciable rate and were within schedule.
The works include the construction of a post office, civic centre, 20 low-cost houses, a police post, 10 medium-cost houses and an administration block.
Inspection in the three districts revealed that most works were above window level while other structures had already been roofed.
“We are happy with the works done in these three districts because most of the works have reached an advanced stage and we are confident that they will deliver within the stipulated time frame,” he said.
However, Mr Mfune was disappointed with the works in four other new districts in Western Province, namely, Mulobezi, Mwandi, Nalolo and Sikongo where the construction works were behind schedule.
He called for punitive measures on contractors that were not adhering to the time frame of putting up the new structures as a measure to ensure they adhered to the stipulated programme.
Mr Mfune said termination of contractors was not in the best interest of the Government as it would only lead to cost implications.
“To ensure that contractors don’t abandon Government projects, which has became a trend for our local contractors, there is need to introduce stiff punishment on erring contractors which will deter them from abandoning projects, and we should also revisit the criteria used to register these contractors,” Mr Mfune said.
He said the Government had no choice but to terminate some contracts, especially those below expected standards.
“We will follow the deputy minister’s directive of terminating and procuring new contractors so that construction works continue because even if we give some of them more time they will not be able to complete the works,” he said.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Mutaba Mwali gave Mr Mfune one month’s ultimatum in which to terminate contracts whose works were below slab level.
Dr Mwali said the contracts were supposed to run for a year but a year was coming to an end and most works were still below slab level, and that the contractors would not complete the works even if they were to be given more time.
“Ensure that all the contracts by contractors whose works are still below slab level are terminated by the end of this month and engage other constructors who will manage to complete the works before the end of the year,” he said.