The Kafue district tender board has approved seven school projects worth K1.2billion whose construction works are expected to commence soon.
Kafue District Commissioner Winford Ngoma said in an interview in Kafue yesterday that successful applicants, who had tendered in bids for the works involving constriction of 7 one and two by three classroom blocks, have finally been selected and given a go ahead to start works.
Mr. Ngoma who is tender board chairperson said basic schools to benefit from the funds are Kafue ZNS, Shikswe, Chikwama, Gotagota in Chiawa, Westwood, and Mtendere schools.
He disclosed that the government through the Ministry of Education has since disbursed K600 million to the district for the seven projects to commence.
Mr. Ngoma stated that communities where the projects will take place have already raised their 25% contribution and are just waiting for the contractors to move on site so that the structures are raised.
He expressed optimism that the projects would be completed on time since they were community based.
Mr. Ngoma said the district will ensure it comes up with a monitoring mechanism which will ensure that all funded projects are supervised to the expectation of the government.
He warned that his office would not tolerate contractors who are lazy and crooked, adding those found wanting would have their contracts terminated.
And Mr. Ngoma has disclosed that government has allocated K400 million for the construction of another high school in Kafue’s Chipapa area.
He said the construction of the day high school brings the number of high schools to two after Mwembeshi Boarding High School.
Mr. Ngoma said the level of investment in the education sector by government was encouraging as it shows the commitment to achieving the millennium development goals on education.
He said the district has benefited a lot from projects supported by government in the education sector which he said would help lift the standards of education in Kafue.
Meanwhile construction works at Mwembeshi Boarding High School are progressing well.
Mr. Ngoma said the Chinese contractor engaged to build the school has since completed 13 teacher’s houses.
Mr. Ngoma said the contractor was on course and the school is expected to be completed be the end of 2010. He expressed optimism that the school may even open next year so that the pupils can start learning during the day time.
ZANIS
Thats the way to go
Can someone explain to me how that “constriction of 7 one and two by three classroom blocks” cost about a billion (K1.2bn) yet a lousy foot bridge at UNZA (which would have made sensible for students to hold a peaceful demonstration about) cost something like K15bn? What makes for the difference? Is it the cost of material or mere corruption?
ok education first