Kambwili urges youth project contract termination

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Government says it will not hesitate to terminate contracts awarded to companies delaying the implementation of Youth skills training countrywide.

ZANIS reports that Youth and Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili sounded the warning in Luanshya today.

Mr. Kambwili said government was in a hurry to train youths and improve their livelihood through the construction of youth resource centers across the country and that it would therefore not condone any contractors delaying the agenda.

Speaking when he toured the construction of the Luanshya Youth Resource center which was initiated in February last year by Profab Zambia Limited, Mr. Kambwili expressed disappointment at the slow pace at which the construction works were being done and recommended the termination of the contract.

“I am highly disappointed and not happy with the works covered so far, the contractor has abandoned works despite having received an upfront payment and it leaves me with no option but to push for the termination of this contract. I will engage the ministry of works and supply to sort out this contractor who has acted in the same manner in Chama district where has not even done 10 percent of the works” Kambwili said.

Mr. Kambwili who is also Roan Member of Parliament noted that government was committed to youth skills training to enhance job creation and reduce poverty.

“With projects such as the youth resource center, we shall be able to empower youths and it is disappointing that the contractor who had already received a lot of money but has not even covered 35 percent of the project” , Kambwili noted.

He questioned how the contractor was awarded the contract since he has exhibited the same behavior with other contracts awarded to him in other parts of the country under  the same project.

And Luanshya District Commissioner Harold Mbaulu noted that the construction of the youth resource center which was supposed to be handed over to the ministry of youth and sport in February this year was delayed and running behind completion time.

Mr. Mbaulu said government was in a hurry to deliver development to the youths and therefore could not sit back and watch projects which are supposed to benefit the people lag behind.

Mr. Kambwili who was flanked by his permanent secretary among other government officials is on the Copperbelt province to inspect progress in the construction of Youth resource centers.

The Luanshya Youth resource center was started in February 2013 and should have been implemented in a 15 month period at a cost of K9, 304, 619.88 .

The project was to be undertaken in two phases and so far the contactor has been paid K2, 164 for the first phase which includes the construction of student hostels, a workshop and ablution blocks.

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