By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, July 11, Mana: Nkhata Bay district council in its efforts to improve health care service delivery, on Wednesday launched construction of two staff houses worth K223 million at Nkhwali Health Centre in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in the district.

Speaking during handing over ceremony of Chilongozi building contractors to the project site, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa said that it is expected that the health facility will be fully functional once construction of houses is completed.

“We are committed to have all completed projects functional by making sure that they have all the necessary facilities to serve communities better.

“Two years ago, we constructed a clinic block which has not been functioning because there were no staff houses but that will be history since we are putting up two of them,” Newa said.

He added that the council was pleased to have secured funding for a complete package for services of a clinic and expressed optimism that the project will be completed within four months as stipulated.

He warned the contractor against shoddy works, otherwise all necessary measures will be taken to terminate the contract.

Acting Director of Public Works, George Gopani said that apart from constructing the two staff houses at the clinic, the project will connect electricity and piped water to the facility including an incinerator.

“Together with the community members, we will make sure that we support the contractor where need be for standard structures,” Gopani said.

In his remarks Councillor for Mpamba Ward, Joseph Thula commended the council for the project.

“Nkhwali clinic which is expected to serve a population of 12, 000 will now be functional. Today, communities have been given hope that soon after construction works of the medical staff houses is completed, the clinic will be fully functional,” Thula said.

The project is being funded by Governance to Enable Service Delivery through National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from World Bank.