19 November 2007
Ndola — CHINA-Geo Contractors, which is carrying out the U.S.$30 million water supply and sanitation project in Central Province, has threatened to suspend works if the Government fails to pay K7.6 billion it owes by the end of this month.
Site manager, Gu Wei Hua, said in an interview in Kabwe after Central Province Minister, Ackimson Banda and other Government officials toured the water project that the Government delayed in releasing funds and warned to halt the works if money was not paid.
The African Development Bank (ADB) was financing 90 per cent of the project while the Government covered the remaining 10 per cent but from the time the project was launched, the Government delayed in meeting its obligation while the ADB paid on time.
Mr Gu said 70 per cent of works had been done and had since written to the Government reminding them to pay the K7.6 billion failure to which the contractor would pull out.
"I have no money to pay more 1,000 local workers as well as money to buy materials. The Government should therefore make payments quickly to avoid the project halting," Mr Gu said.
But Mr Banda and project manager, Cledwin Mulambo, assured that they would continue to push the ministry of Finance to pay the contractor.
Mr Banda was happy with the progress of the works stressing that the water blues that haunted Kabwe would be a thing of the past when the project was completed.
"The water problem had dogged Kabwe for a long period of time but with the works carried out so far to end this problem, I am impressed. I hope that we can find money to assist our people in Bwacha constituency to have their houses connected to the main sewerage system," Mr Banda said.
The Government was committed to ensuring that Central Province residents accessed quality water and Mr Banda commended the ADB for financing the initiative at 90 per cent.
Mr Mulambo said last year he requested for K15 billion but the ministry of Finance only released about K2 billion. This year he requested for another K15 billion, he was told the sealing had actually been reduced further.
"It is good that the contractor understands and he has assured us that he would continue with the works. We shall continue to push for the money so that this project does not stall," Mr Mulambo said.
Bwacha member of Parliament, Gladys Nyirongo, who accompanied the minister along side Kabwe district commissioner, Jane Chileshe and Permanent Secretary, Denny Lumbama, said it would be costly to abandon the project, which had reached an advanced stage.
"It will be disaster to abandon this project at this level more so that President Mwanawasa has played a pivotal role in ensuring that it succeeds," Reverend Nyirongo said.
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