KASAMA AIRPORT RUNWAY WORKS IRKS STATE HOUSE
SPECIAL Assistant to the President for project implementation and monitoring Andrew Chellah has ordered the acceleration of works for the construction of a runway at Kasama Airport.
Mr. Chellah, who inspected the project site yesterday, expressed his displeasure that despite receiving payment from government about two months ago, the contractor has not made progress.
“Government will not entertain further delay to complete the project and contractor should stop giving excuses for the slow pace of works, “warned Mr Chellah.
This was after the contractor claimed that Chinese nationals to operate a stone crusher were stuck in China due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
However, Mr. Chellah and his delegation disputed the claim saying human resource to operate various heavy duty machines could be found locally.
He said President Edgar Lungu has given clear instructions that works on construction projects should not stall as a result of COVID-19 but must continue under strict adherence to prevention measures.
The Kasama Airport project is key to the economic development of the Northern Region which is a tourism hub for the country hence the urgent need to complete it, the Presidential Aide noted.
Mr. Chellah has since directed the project consultant to ensure that the runway is completed before December this year. He instructed the consultant to work with relevant government offices to address any possible challenges on the project.
Meanwhile, Kasama District Commissioner Kelly Kashiwa said delay to complete the project has become a source of concern among stakeholders and advised the contractor to expedite the works.
Mr. Kashiwa also reiterated the need for the contractor to consult implementing agencies to find people locally that can operate machines to avoid the stalling of works.
In May this year, government through the Ministry of Finance released K29 million towards the completion of Kasama Airport Runway project out of which K17 million was paid to the contractor while the project consultant received K12 million.
- ZANIS