By Doricah Mkwapatira

Machinga, June 17, Mana: The Machinga District Council handed over contract agreements that will see contractors working on K600 million worth of projects, ranging from school infrastructure to bridges, to improve child education and mobility in the district.

The contract agreements were signed on Tuesday at six sites where contractors, Fumba Construction Company, will construct a learning block at Mgonachawa School, Pen Investment to construct Lingoni concrete bridge, and Cheyeka Construction Company will construct staff houses at Ntaja Rural Hospital.

The agreement will also see First Born Construction Company constructing Mpotola Community Day Secondary School staff houses, Manjawira Construction Company will be responsible for Chipinda Bridge, while Erid Building and Civil Construction Company will be at Naminga School to construct a classroom block.

Director of Public Works, Francis Chipojola, was grateful for the start of the projects and expressed optimism that the projects will be completed in good time, urging the contractors to honour their contractual agreements.

“This marks a significant milestone in transforming our district. I expect all stakeholders to ensure these projects succeed. I also urge contractors to commence work within two weeks, failing which their contracts will be terminated,” he added.

In his remarks, Machinga District Council Chairperson, Councillor Simplex Diwa said the projects will be of great impact once completed, citing the construction of education and health facilities.

“Infrastructure like Chipinda Bridge will also improve access to schools and health facilities, especially during rainy seasons when rivers normally flood. These projects will greatly benefit our communities,” he added.

Maxford Chikuni of Erid Building and Civil Construction Company assured the council of quality work, speed and transparency in the course of the work.

“We will construct durable infrastructure and engage local communities during the works. We will work to meet project deadlines,” he said.

On behalf of traditional authorities in Machinga, Senior Chief Chamba lauded government for bringing the infrastructural projects in the district, describing the initiative as “investment in the critical sectors of the society”.

He added that the infrastructural projects were relevant in responding to the real situation on the ground, expressing hope that the infrastructure would contribute to the district's overall development.

Construction in the six sites will be done under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) project with funding from the World Bank.