Govt moves to bring sanity in construction

Government has warned contractors and consultants that government will start penalising and barring those delivering substandard work.

Minister of Transport and Public Jacob Hara and Minister of Information Gospel Kazako made the warning in Lilongwe on Wednesday at a press briefing aimed at highlighting government efforts in improving the transport sector.

Hara said government will not tolerate substandard roads, adding there will be serious tests for any completed road before a contractor hands it over to government.

The minister said all contractors and consultants, who do not satisfy set standards, will be penalised and barred from participating in road construction.

He said: “The President [Lazarus Chakwera] has stressed the need to ensure that out roads are durable. So this time we will run tests before a road can be handed over to government.”

Hara lamented that government is being robbed through substandard work.

The minister claimed that said some contractors and consultants connive to deliver cheap work to make more profit. He said consultants are supposed to be agents of government in ensuring high standard roads but some are doing the contrary.