State House to expedite stalled projects
House is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that projects that have stalled because of erratic funding are sorted out, Special Assistant to the President for Project, Implementation and Monitoring, Andrew Chellah has said.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Special Assistant to the President for Project, Implementation and Monitoring, Andrew Chellah said he was aware that some projects had stalled due to erratic funding and assured that his office was doing everything possible to have full operations resume in all the projects that have stalled. Mr Chellah said while it was true that some projects had come to a halt due to lack of funding, government has not backpedaled on its vision but remained committed to complete all the projects that it embarked on. He disclosed that President Edgar Lungu has set up a technical committee at State House to look into all issues affecting developmental projects in all sectors across the country. Mr Chellah explained that the technical committee headed by his office is engaging relevant authorities to ensure the projects that had delayed due to financial challenges were urgently funded so that constructing works were completed. Mr Chellah said his office was actively looking into all issues affecting developmental projects in all sectors to ensure that the projects were expedited. Meanwhile, Mr Chellah who last week on Tuesday took an impromptu visit to Shibuyunj district to inspect construction works accompanied by State House Chief Analyst for Project Implementation, Joseph Mukupa, expressed sadness that some projects had stalled despite being fully funded. Mr Chellah took a swipe at a local contractor, Chilimata Company, for abandoning a construction site and the slow pace at which construction works were being done after being paid all the contract money and summoned it to State House. He ordered all contractors who have abandoned government projects for unexplained reasons to return to site immediately failure to which they risk being prosecuted. Mr Chellah said his office would not hesitate to take punitive measures against contractors found wanting.