By Noel Chimwala

Chikwawa, February 8, Mana: Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daudi has advised contractors who are constructing health personnel houses in Chikwawa district to speed up the process, saying the project is likely to miss deadline.

The project was supposed to be completed by 17th February 2024 and, with time closing in, it is likely the contractor will not fulfil the agreement.

Speaking after touring rehabilitation projects of health workers’ houses at Bereu, Chipwaila and Dolo health facilities in the district on Wednesday, Daudi advised Chikwawa council to closely supervise the projects to ensure that contractors are doing quality standard work and that they should complete the projects within the contract period.

The minister said the aim of the tour was to appreciate the progress and hear from contractors if they are facing challenges which are making them delay to complete the projects within the agreed period.

“We are worried and concerned that despite having the funds at the councils, contractors are slow to complete the rehabilitation of houses for medical personnel in the three health facilities,” she said.

She added that when projects do not end in time, more money is spent as some contractors take advantage of the kwacha devaluation and inflation.

“Councils and traditional authorities must supervise the progress of these projects to ensure that contractors are doing good work, all mistakes are corrected timely and the project completion should be on time,” said Daudi.

In his remarks, Member of Parliament for Chikwawa South Constituency, Illias Karim, commended President Lazarus Chakwera for his commitment towards ending housing challenges for health workers.

“When these houses are completed, it will ease the housing challenges for our health workers and this means the workers will attend to patients whenever the need arises, regardless of the time,” said Karim.

“The concerns on delays have been addressed as the Minister has warned contractors to complete the projects by 31st March, 2024 and if they fail, the contracts will be terminated,” he added.