The government has promised to make prompt payment to contractors undertaking the CBC classrooms projects to ensure they were completed in time.
Principal Secretary, State Department of Implementation of Curriculum Reforms Prof. Fatuma Chege, said the payment for the construction of the 10, 000 classrooms currently at 70 percent completion would be made directly to the contractors.
She said the treasury had already released the amount due for payment, and could release the money to contractors whose projects were cleared and certified by the Public Works officials before related invoices were forwarded for payments.
“Monitoring of these classrooms is ongoing to ensure that the standards given by the Architects are followed to the letter and to compare the progress across the country for timely completion,” added Chege.
Chege, who commissioned a complete classroom at Gituamba Secondary school in Nyandarua County, said contractors lagging the process risked being replaced arguing that the timelines for the implementation had to be followed.
She noted that the government had prioritized the construction of the classrooms ahead of the Junior Secondary School admission next year that she noted would be 100 percent.
“If a contractor has done a commendable job, there will be no reason not to allocate them classes in phase two. Those lagging out will not drag us behind, we will still get another contractor to do the job,” noted the PS cautioning that no one will be allowed in schools during examination time.
Nyandarua County Commissioner Amos Mariba, said the monitoring team would ensure value for money in every project that the government would undertake in the county.
While lauding contractors in Mirangine Sub-County who were at 83 percent completion, urged the contractors to clear and complete the works in time to avert legal suits.
He warned that some risked prosecution and being flagged out of the county if they failed to deliver on time.
Kahuni Springs Proprietor Jane Muthoni, who has successfully completed two classrooms at Gituamba and Githima secondary schools in the county requested to be given more contracts, urging her colleagues to be diligent and perfect their work.
“I know I have done a good job and would not mind more classrooms in phase two. This is mind-boggling and a contractor needs to give their best for excellence,” noted the youthful contractor.
By Anne Sabuni
