By Zenak Matekenya

Dedza, February 8, Mana: Deputy Minister for Local Government, Unity and Culture Joyce Chitsulo says completion of Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) projects should meet the stipulated three-month time frame noting that the funder, World Bank, disburse funds in time.

She made this statement on Friday in Dedza following her visit to new classroom blocks at Mwenje and Kabango Primary Schools as part of her familiarization tour to GESD projects in different districts.

While expressing satisfaction with the project’s quality of work, the minister expressed worry over councils' delay in paying contractors at certain levels of the work emphasizing that the donor's timely funding paves the way for swift implementation.

“Despite the outstanding quality of work, several councils are facing delays in project completion due to late disbursement of funds to contractors. Some projects have gone up to eight months without completion,” she said.

Chitsulo acknowledged that sometimes contractor capacity issues are to blame and urged councils to conduct thorough assessments of contractors’ capabilities to ensure timely project delivery.

The deputy minister also expressed concern over certain communities' reluctance to mobilize materials such as sand as their contribution yet they are the ones owning the projects.

Dedza District Council Chairperson Stanley Manase said in recent years, the council has made significant progress in overcoming challenges related to the GESD project and is optimistic that it will achieve 100 per cent efficiency.

He urged stakeholders to remain committed to the GESD project implementation, highlighting the transformative impact of newly constructed health facilities, classroom blocks, bridges, public servants' houses and other vital infrastructure on local livelihoods.

“For instance, the new classroom blocks visited today have responded to the challenge of school dropout by reducing distance barrier and providing good shelter as opposed to learning under a tree,” he said.

District Commissioner for Dedza District Council Thomas Chigwenembe commended the minister for the visit and assured that the council is leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of effective implementation of GESD and other projects.

He said the council conducts a verification process before disbursing funds to contractors.

He added that certain contractors’ actions were in direct contravention of their contract terms, as they demanded advance payments before commencing work.

“We have intensified our scrutiny of contractors’ capabilities and the progress is good. There is enough money for the implementation of GESD and DDF [District Development Fund] projects. Once the contractor has met the conditions of the contract, they are being paid,” he added.

Dedza District Council councilors praised the council's secretariat during a full council meeting last year for its strict measures and great progress in overseeing the implementation of infrastructure development projects.

The 2024/25 allocation for GESD projects in Dedza District totals about K1.5 billion with Kabango Primary School’s classroom blocks construction receiving over K98 million.