Contractor at large after pocketing K5.6m

A contractor whom Nkhata Bay District Council hired to build a teacher’s house at Mzgola Community Day Secondary School in Sub-Traditional Authority (sT/A) Nyaluwanga is allegedly at large after pocketing K5.6 million.

This came to light at a meeting Temwa Organisation held with community structures and council secretariat officials on Sunday.

The house was supposed to be completed within 90 days but the contractor disappeared after receiving K5.6 million from K5.9 million he charged for the work.

Making his presentation, Chikwina Ward councillor MalaniKafunda said the contractor became untraceable soon after collecting the money.

“The project was supposed to be completed in January this year,” he said.

When we visited the contractor’s office in Mzuzu on Tuesday, we established that he has not been at the office for close to three months.

“He is no longer coming to his office and his contacts are unreachable,” disclosed his neighbour who pleaded for anonymity.

Project Implementation Committee chairperson Faston Mapala blamed the council for releasing the money before seeking approval from local committees.

Nkhata Bay district commissioner Rodney Simwaka said payments are made based on programme’s contract

condition and it is unfair to blame the council secretariat for the issue.

“We didn’t see it coming. However, we are investigating,” he said.

Meanwhile, the communities said they have reported the issue to police.

Temwa programmes manager Kondwani Botha said communities are being empowered to take duty-bearers to account.