By DELPHINE ZULU in Mwansabombwe –
GOVERNMENT has terminated the contract awarded to Uneric Enterprise Limited for allegedly abandoning the construction of a civic centre in the newly-created Mwansabombwe District in Luapula Province.
Uneric Enterprise Limited was awarded the contract last year to construct the Civic Centre at a total cost of more than K2 million.
The Government released the money in November last year and works were expected to be complete in February next year. However, the works are still at foundation level.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Deputy Minister Mutaba Mwali said the Government would not accept such lack of seriousness towards projects.
“This is totally unacceptable. Two months from now he will clock one year but still struggling with the foundation and yet he (contractor) was paid.
“The only alternative is to find another serious contractor who can move in quickly and cover up so that people here can start utilising these facilities,” Dr Mwali said.
Dr Mwali also inspected the construction of the administration block, housing units, police station, civic centre and Kawambwa Luwingu Road via Mushota area and said progress made so far was impressive.
Construction engineer from the buildings department in the same ministry Kelvin Mumbi said terminating the contract was the only measure that should be taken for now to allow Government engage a serious contractor to expedite the works.
Mr Mumbi said Government had a lot of reliable contractors that could be engaged immediately to compensate for the delay caused in the construction of the long awaited civic centre in the District.
“The contractor will be called and immediately told about the termination of the K2,009,370.56 contract. We will soon engage another contractor,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mumbi said another contractor, BCHOD, constructing the two high-cost houses would have to temporarily halt the works to subject the blocks being used to laboratory tests.
He said the works were not impressive as they were not up to required standards, saying the Government would not compromise on quality.