By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, February 11, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, Joyce Chitsulo has expressed concern over delays in the construction of a school block in Thyolo, describing the situation as disappointing and unacceptable.

During a site visit to Thyolo Boma Primary School on Tuesday, the Deputy Minister lamented that the project, which was expected to be completed by January 2025 to benefit learners, remains far from completion due to the contractor’s failure to meet contractual obligations.

“It is really sad. This project was supposed to be completed by January so that learners could start using the structure. Unfortunately, the Malawian contractor who was given this opportunity has not fulfilled what was agreed in the contract,” she said.

She further questioned the significant payments already made to Pyramid Contractors, the firm responsible for the project, saying the work done so far does not reflect the funds disbursed.

“The council paid the contractor a lot of money compared to the work done. This is very unfortunate, especially when the State President is encouraging Malawians to take up business opportunities, yet some are not performing,” she added.

The Deputy Minister therefore suggested that contractors that fail to deliver on their contracts should be blacklisted to prevent them from securing future projects.

“I strongly believe that we need to start blacklisting such contractors to ensure they do not get future contracts. Doing so might push them to improve their performance,” she stated.

She, however, expressed gratitude to the World Bank for funding the project, emphasizing the need to put donor funds to good use.

Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga disclosed that the council had already paid the contractor MK400 million out of the total contract sum of MK561 million.

“We are very worried about the pace at which the contractor is working. We have repeatedly advised them to increase manpower and extend working hours, but they have been reluctant to do so,” Kuphanga said.

He added that the contract, which started on August 14, 2024 and was initially scheduled to end on January 31, 2025, has now been extended to April.

“If the contractor fails to meet this new deadline, the contract will be terminated. We have clauses in the contract that allow us to terminate if the contractor fails to meet key terms.

“If there is no significant progress by April, we will be left with no choice but to take action,” he added.

Thyolo Boma Primary School construction project is being funded by the World Bank through Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project