Muchinga minister give 7 days’ ultimatum to contractor
By Staff Reporter
Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone has given Divine Link, a contractor engaged to construct a K4.3 million office block for the Ministry of Health in Shiwang’andu, a 7-day ultimatum in which to return on site and finish the works.
Speaking after inspecting the works, Sichone also expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of works on the project.
He expressed disappointment with the quality of works on the project saying the finishing touches that include fixing of the ceiling board, was badly done as the ceiling board was already leaking.
ZANIS reports that the provincial minister also expressed unhappiness with the continued unnecessary delays in the completion of the project that commenced in 2015 and was due for completion in April 2017.
“Government has paid the contractor 90 percent of the total contract sum and will not allow any further delays on the project. Am giving you 7 days to come back on site, work on the defects and remaining works. The project should be handed over to the Government in two months and no extension will be given,” said Sichone.
Last week, the District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) meeting expressed displeasure over the performance of some projects in the area.
The DDCC noted that most of the projects in the District were progressing well though beyond schedule.
In a presentation for Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Development Sub-Committee, acting chairperson Steven Mulatu who is also Shiwang`andu District Town Planner said that works at the District Medical Office administration block being done by Divine Link had reached an advanced stage with 80% of works done so far.
Mulatu said despite Government having paid the contractor 90% of the contract sum, there are a number of unfinished works such as drilling of a bore hole, connecting the water tank to the network, design for water distribution to the building, connecting electricity, fitting of tiles, ceiling board, plumbing and land scaping, among others.
“The project is expected to be complete and handed over in June this year. And works at the construction site for the Civic Centre had reached roofing level with progress works at 60%. With regards to the construction of two high cost houses being done by Nyola Investment, the works had stalled,” Mulatu said
He said the contractor had failed to finish the project due to poor management, adding that the contractor risks having the contract terminated.
Mulatu further said construction of a police station is expected to be completed in December 2019 together with two medium cost houses and eight low cost houses in the district being done by Golden Horse.
“The 10 staff houses are at 90% complete and the police station is at 60%. Works have stalled due to nonpayment of funds by Government and the contractor has since demobilized from the site,” he said
Meanwhile, construction works on some projects in the district is stagnant with progress works being below average on some projects and these among others, include construction of the post office and Council Dry Port, which is at 40%.
Mulatu pointed out that construction works at the main Post office in Shiwang’andu have stalled as the contract has been terminated due to the poor performance.
