Group decries quality of maternity wing project

Mlare Development Association has asked Karonga District Council not to reengage Donija Construction Company in the second phase of the project to construct a maternity wing at Mlare Health Centre.

The call comes after the project stalled last year at foundation level.

Speaking on Monday during inspection, the association’s member Medson Katamba, who is the maternity wing project’s task force chairperson, said they feel cheated with the work.

He said: “We summoned district council officials, the contractor and community leaders at the construction site so that we can assess the project.

“First, it has developed cracks before the actual building takes off. Secondly, at K86 million, we feel it was overpriced.”

Katamba said before the meeting, they visited Hara Health Centre which has a similar project, but it cost K35 million.

“In contrast, the maternity wing at Hara Health Centre is bigger and of high quality,” he said.

The association has since resolved to engage consultants to redesign the project.

On his part, Karonga Central legislator Leonard Mwalwanda (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) said it was high time the council started engaging serious contractors who can construct durable structures.

“We don’t want substandard structures,” he said.

Karonga District Council Finance Committee chairperson Bellium Msukwa said the development is a wake-up call to his office on how to award contracts.

But the contractor, Donija Mhango, played down the cracks, saying they developed on the slab and cannot affect the building.

“Our contract was just to build the foundation,” he said.