By James Mwale
Ntchisi, February 6, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo has challenged contractors undertaking government projects to either meet their set deadlines with quality results or step down and pave the way for their capable counterparts.
Chitsulo was speaking in Ntchisi district Wednesday after inspecting the progress of development projects under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD).
She expressed dissatisfaction with delays in the construction of Malambo police unit and police officer’s house in the area of Sub Traditional Authority Masanya, which she said should have been completed as the deadline was three months ago.
She said: “As a Ministry, we are not impressed and we have urged the district council to get in touch with the contractor to agree on the final deadline which I am told is 27th February 2025. Failure to meet this deadline will force us to award the contract to another contractor who will finish in time.”
She, however, was impressed with the completion of a police officer’s house construction at Kansonga in the area of Senior Chief Malenga, and a two-classroom block at Masangano Primary School in Senior Chief Kalumo.
She said the two projects are of good quality and that the contractors have done a commendable job.
Chairperson for Ntchisi district council, Marko Mphenzi Mtengo commended government for awarding such development projects to Malawian contractors.
He, however, warned contractors who miss deadlines and put out substandard work saying they are sabotaging government’s development initiatives.
Governance to Enable Service Delivery is a government of Malawi project funded by the World Bank and is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC).
