School block project delay irks Dowa community

People in group village head (GVH) James in Dowa East have expressed concern with the council’s delay to construct a school block in their area despite the project’s approval in 2021.

Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting that National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust organised, GVH James said they have been approaching the council on the same but nothing positive came out.

The council’s District Development Plans show that construction of a K23 million school block at James Community Day Secondary School was to run from June to September 2021.

“We have been contacting council officials for five times but there has just been an assurance that it will start soon yet up to now they have not yet started,” the chief said.

Dowa District Council vice-chairperson Holyce Madeya said the project was still in their District Development Plans.

“Development projects hinge on funds availability and this has affected the school block project,” he said.

Madeya denied allegations that the project’s funds were diverted to the district’s community stadium project.

“Despite taking long to be constructed, we are committed to see the school block constructed the moment funds are available,” he said.

Nice Trust Dowa district programmes officer Alinafe Chikakuda said she was impressed that the communities were able to hold duty-bearers accountable.

“This has sent a strong message to the leaders that when people demand their rights they must be provided,” she said.

Chikakuda said it was sad that a project that would have cost K23 million in 2021 will now be higher due to the devaluation of the kwacha

    People in group
village head (GVH) James in Dowa East have expressed concern with the council’s
delay to construct a school block in their area despite the project’s approval
in 2021.Speaking on Wednesday
during a meeting that National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust
organised, GVH James said they have been approaching the council on the same
but nothing positive came out.The council’s District
Development Plans show that construction of a K23 million school block at James
Community Day Secondary School was to run from June to September 2021.“We have been
contacting council officials for five times but there has just been an
assurance that it will start soon yet up to now they have not yet started,” the
chief said.Dowa District Council
vice-chairperson Holyce Madeya said the project was still in their District
Development Plans.“Development projects
hinge on funds availability and this has affected the school block project,” he
said.Madeya denied
allegations that the project’s funds were diverted to the district’s community
stadium project.“Despite taking long
to be constructed, we are committed to see the school block constructed the
moment funds are available,” he said.Nice Trust Dowa
district programmes officer Alinafe Chikakuda said she was impressed that the
communities were able to hold duty-bearers accountable.“This has sent a
strong message to the leaders that when people demand their rights they must be
provided,” she said.Chikakuda said it was
sad that a project that would have cost K23 million in 2021 will now be higher
due to the devaluation of the kwacha