Rumphi West lawmaker Yona Dadawiza Mkandawire says he is tired of feeding a contractor who has remained at the Kamphenda Health Centre construction site for two years after the project stalled due to lack of funding.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Mkandawire said DH Construction began work by excavating the foundation but abandoned the project after running into funding problems.
“On paper, it is finished, but the foundations are there. The contractor is still there,” Mkandawire said.
He said the contractor was engaged during the previous government and has remained at the site because he has not been paid, adding that the situation has forced him to provide support to the contractor.
“We are told the health centre is going to be funded by Global Fund. He is there two years now. I’m feeding him. I’m tired feeding him,” he said.
Mkandawire asked Health Minister Madalitso Baloyi to investigate how the contractor was engaged and establish what happened to the project, saying Kamphenda Health Centre is urgently needed by communities in Rumphi West.
Responding, Baloyi advised the MP to work with the district council and consider using CDF to complete the facility, saying resources for such projects have been devolved to local councils.
“If the honourable member is looking for answers on why the health centre is not completed up until now, I’m requesting him to put a proper question through my ministry where we can provide a proper response,” Baloyi said.
Mkandawire, however, maintained that his concern was not only about completing the health centre but also resolving the unresolved issue of a contractor who has remained at the site without payment.
