The Kazo Town Council LC 3 chairperson, Enock Rutashorora, told the committee that when the work stalled, he approached the Education and Sports Ministry to inquire what was happening that is when he was told that NKW building and Construction Company limited that was awarded the tender is unknown
The Education Committee of Parliament has called for investigations into the stalled construction at Kiruhura Technical Institute.
In 2013, government contracted NKW building and Construction Company limited to construct Staff houses, lecture rooms and workshops at Kiruhura Technical Institute at the tune of Shillings 2.5 billion.
Kiruhura Technical Institute, the first of its kind in the District, is part of government’s efforts to promote and establish regional centers of excellence for Business, Technical, and Vocational Education and Training-BTVET to ensure the production of critical mass of relevant technical skills.
The construction work was expected to last one year. However, the Education Committee of Parliament, which is chaired by Jacob Richard Opolot recently learnt with shock that the project has dragged on for the last seven years and that some of the building have started developing cracks.
The Kazo Town Council LC 3 chairperson, Enock Rutashorora, told the committee that when the work stalled, he approached the Education and Sports Ministry to inquire what was happening that is when he was told that NKW building and Construction Company limited that was awarded the tender is unknown.
He said the first constructions were completed within one year with the exception of the staff quarters and workshops that have dragged on for the last seven years.
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He says despite this, the contractor was awarded a certificate of completion of work.
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The Committee Chairperson, Richard Opolot, said there is no value for money based on the works on the ground. He promised to cause investigations into the matter and present the issue on the floor of parliament.
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Winnie Kiiza, the Kasese Woman Member of Parliament, says they will follow up the contractor and those who awarded the company a certificate of completion to ensure they recover the money or complete the works.
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James Tumuramye, who neighbors the institute, says that he last saw workers on the site several years ago.
“I was also working there in 2014, when they changed the company I was chased and never given a job again but since then works have been very slow, we think even they will never finish”, he said.
David Baguma, the area LC I Chairperson, says they raised the complaint through Commissioners from the Education Ministry last year because of the stalled works but nothing was done.
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Peter Kasango, the Director NKW building and Construction Company limited, says he underestimated the payment system since the money is paid in phases, which has affected the work.
He however, says there are two certificates pending clearance, which has affected payments, the reason work has stalled.
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He says works are supposed to be on phase three but funds are very slow.
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Story by Edson Kinene
