Construction of Kalabo Youth Centre resumes

—ALMUT Construction, the company contracted by government to construct Kalabo Youth Resource Centre, has resumed work after three months of work stoppage due to non-funding.

 

And the company has also paid its workers the eight months’ salary arrears it owed the workers after government released the funds.

 

The works at the centre, which were expected to finish and handed over to government by August 12, 2014, stalled for three months  after workers  downed tools due to non-payment of salary arrears.

ALMUT Project Engineer, Shepherd Mushiko and Acting Kalabo District Commissioner, Inambao Mwiya, confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview.

 

Mr Mushiko disclosed that so far government had released over K2 million and employees’ salary arrears had been paid out.

 

He said his company would apply to government for an extension period for the time lost when they were still waiting for funds.

 

Mr Mushiko, who said his company had only done ten per cent of the work, assured government of a good job to be done.

 

And the Acting District Commissioner, Inambao Mwiya, who thanked government for releasing the funds toward the project, expressed happiness that works had resumed at the site.

 

Mr Mwiya explained that the Youth Resource Centre was an important institution as it would be of great benefit towards the youth in terms of skills and subsequently lower poverty levels in the district.

 

He was optimistic that the contractor’s commitment would yield positive results.

 

Three months ago, about 73 employees downed tools and threatened to take legal action against the contractor’s non-payment of salary arrears.