The Voi Pool Housing Project in Taita-Taveta County will require sh 480 million for it to be completed by December this year.
The March project status report shows that completion progress for mansionettes and flats are at 80 percent and 35 percent respectively.
However, the overall rating indicates the project which was slated for completion by November 2014 was behind schedule.
The Public Works Official Mr. Dola Duve said the overall work were 42 per cent complete but expressed confidence the houses would be ready by end December 2018 if funds were availed to the contractor.
The pool housing project, valued at Sh 747 million, was started in December 2012 and was to take two years.
However, delays in disbursement of funds coupled with contracting challenges saw the project drag on for years with the contractor being granted multiple contract extensions.
“This project can be completed by December this year if the money is availed on time,” said Duve.
To date, Sh 266 million has been paid to the contractor. The pool housing project comprise of eleven 3-bedroom masionettes each with a servant quarter and 36 three-bedroomed flats.
Mr. Duve said lack of funds might lead to the project going beyond the anticipated completion date.
County Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said the government was conducting a profile on all national government projects to identify and verify the status of each of those projects for appropriate action.
“The government is keen on addressing challenges reported on all projects as part of enhancing service delivery to the citizens,” she said.
During a site visit in December last year, Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Mr. Charles Mwaura had expressed his disappointment over delays in the project.
He said the department would avail funds to see the completion of the project which is under the government’s affordable housing programme in the Big 4 Agenda.
“As soon as funds are available, we will allocate money and complete this project,” the PS had said.
By Wagema Mwangi
