Erratic funding stalls project

ERRATIC funding has stalled various construction projects in Mashonaland West Province, including the Siakobvu Composite Government Complex.

The complex is expected to house all Government offices in Kariba district.

Most Government services are obtained in Kariba urban, while the majority of people are found in the vast rural areas, including Mola, Msampakaruma, Siakobvu and Negande.

With a poor road network and long distances involved as one has to go through Karoi to get Government services such as national identity particulars, most people end up going without.

Public Works department provincial director Mr Trymore Mutizwa said the delay in release of funds affected plans to move the offices to Siakobvu.

“There is a resolution that Government offices should move to Siakobvu, but because of unavailability of funds, the project has been hanging for a long time now,” he said.

“Once funding is released, we can resume works at the composite office block where all Government departments will be housed.”

To complete the project, Public Works department says it needs at least $5 million.

There are fears that the project cost could have ballooned owing to recent price adjustments by supplies.

The project site where one office block had been built to deck level has been derelict for several years now, with some of the materials being vandalised.

“Some work had been done on the project, but we have not received funding for some time now,” said Mr Mutizwa. “As a result, some of the materials have been vandalised, while some have been affected by weather elements.”

Mr Mutizwa said completion of the project should be regarded as top priority. Work has also stopped on the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Courts, with the incomplete building lying idle for the past 10 years. The project needs at least $10 million to be completed.

Funding constraints have also affected completion of the Kadoma Registry offices.