Delayed water project worries DANIDA

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 08:03:25 +0000

By BENNIE MUNADNDO

WE are surprised to learn about the reported delays in the completion of the US $104 million Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company rehabilitation works, DANIDA business finance investment director Annelise Boysen has said.

Ms Boysen said, however, that she and her team were around to ensure that the contract pertaining to the project and the procedures were followed and respected.

Speaking when her entourage toured the project in Luanshya on Wednesday, Ms. Boysen said the reported delays had been brought to her attention but expressed optimism that the project would be completed accordingly.

She said she was in Luanshya with her team to inspect the implementation of the project to ensure that it was completed to improve the wellbeing of the beneficiaries adding that her organisation was giving utmost attention to its implementation and was eager to see it completed.

“I am here to follow on the progress because I was surprised when I heard that there may be further delays on it. The report has come to my attention but I have been saying this on many occasions that it is very important that we respect the contract.

“We do believe that the project will be delivered accordingly but I am not in a position to guarantee anything towards that but we have professional people on the ground.

“It is very important that the contract and its procedures are respected. If this is not respected, it would be difficult to implement it.

“We will ensure that everything is followed up so that the contractor delivers the quality as it is supposed to be. I can assure you that we are here so to ensure that contract and procedures are followed and respected,” Ms. Boysen said

And Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda said completion of the rehabilitation works was critical to the quality of water supply to the residents of Luanshya town whom he said had exercised maximum patience during the period of the works.

Mr Chanda said the project, which would result in a complete makeover of the water and sewerage facilities, was initially scheduled to be completed before the end of the last quarter of 2017 but had stalled.

“We are expectant of the delivery of the project. We want to see our people benefit from this project soon. However, we are concerned with the delivery period. We are told of challenges which we have seen, but the project as taken so long.

“It will be very difficult for me to go back to the people after the month-end of May to tell them to be patient again. So far, we are happy with the works.

“As local community leaders, we are concerned with issues of water because water is life. We hope you will finish the project as stated,” Mr. Chanda said.

He however, expressed optimism that the visit by Ms. Boysen and other senior executive members would help to expedite the rehabilitation works.