Siavonga dip-tank project stalls
WORKS on the Government funded dip tank project in Manchamvwa lakeshore area in Siavonga have stalled after the contractor allegedly disappeared.
The contractor who has only done some partial substandard works on the project allegedly disappeared last year without finishing the works and paying salaries for his workers who are now stranded.
The abandoned dip tank located in Munyama ward is part of hundreds of dip tanks the government is constructing across the country to improve animal health for small scale-farmers.
Some farmers in the area who sought anonymity, complained that the dip tank project which was supposed to be completed in 2016, and has dragged on without any explanation from the contractor and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
The farmers said lack of a functional dip tank in the area was retrogressive to the growth of cattle farming as farmers have nowhere to dip their animals.
They called on Government to compel the contractor to come back on site and resume the abandoned works so that farmers in the area could start benefiting from the infrastructure.
Early this year, during the tour of government projects in Siavonga, Southern Provincie Permanent Secretary, Mwangala Liomba expressed sadness at the poor works by the contractors working on the deep tanks in the district.
Mr. Liomba ordered contractors to re- do the works and further advised receiver departments to monitor the projects under their Ministry to ensure good quality.
Apart from the dip tanks projects, works at other Government capital projects in the district have also stalled.
The projects catered for construction of a civic centre, post office, medium and low cost housing units for civil servants and construction of a modern police station.