Mangochi community rejects school project

Community leaders in Traditional Authority Namavi in Mangochi District have rejected a school block constructed at Timbwiti Junior Primary School.

They say the block is substandard and a security risk to learners.

The two-classroom block worth K10 million, was constructed with Constituency Development Fund in Mangochi Lutende Constituency.

Speaking when Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) inspected the block on Friday, Namavi Ward councillor Fatima Chilawi said the structure is small and has weak foundation

He said: “The problem is that the project was running without the involvement of the chiefs and other community leaders. We could have raised the concerns during early stages.”

To prove their case, Chilawi scratched the floor and wall which broke easily.

“How can you guarantee safety of our children in such a structure? From foundation to roofing, this structure is poorly done,” said group village head Liwiga Two.

Community leaders are demanding that the projectstart all over again.

But contractor Symon Maziya while acknowledging that the floor was poorly done, argued that the project was implemented in line with the available funds.

He said: “I have made a commitment to improve the floor because that is the only thing I can acknowledge was poorly done.

The actual money that went into the project was K8 million and it matches the structure.”

Csat executive director Willy Kambwandira said his organisation has summoned the district commissioner, member of Parliament, the contractor and community leaders to a public hearing this week.

He said: “Having seen the structure, we are not impressed with the project. Secondly, the stakeholders are quoting different figures.

“Some say it cost K8 million, others  say K10 million and K13 million. We want to find out the amount of money that went into it,” he said.