Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to terminate three contracts

The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) says it will terminate about three contracts with contractors who are not abiding by the terms and standards of the contracts awarded to them.
And the authority says it needs about eighty million US Dollars (US$8 million) to supply the new districts with electricity.

Speaking to journalists after a conducted tour of the K2.5 million Situmbeko Grid Extension project in Shibuyunji and Chibombo districts today, REA Chief Executive Officer Geoffrey Musonda says authority will in the next two months be terminating some contracts because it is not impressed with their pace of work.

Mr. Musonda, who refused to disclose the names of the contractors, says most of the contractors who have failed to impress are local contractors.

He says experienced has also shown that once such contracts are terminated, works will be completed as scheduled rather than keeping such contractors.

The REA CEO says the authority has no option but to terminate the contracts of such contractors rather than risking tax payer’s money.

And Mr. Musonda is hopeful that the K2.5 million Situmbeko Grid Extension project in Shibuyunji and Chibombo districts will be completed by November this year to enable people have power supply.

And speaking in a separate interview with journalists, ZESCO Chief Engineer for Construction Hadley Habeene said he is impressed with the rate at which the sub-contractor is carrying the works.

Some of the places toured include; Kalala Primary School, Chalabana primary School, Kabangalala Primary School, Kabangalala Rural Health center and Situmbeko shops.
( Wednesday 03rd September 2014 )