By Q, KNA
The Deputy Chief of Staff-In-Charge of Government Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo, has directed that contractors should implement their projects to a logical conclusion, standards and within stipulated period, to ensure that the utilization of the taxpayer’s money serves the public as expected.
Owalo who toured various government projects in the County, including the Ngege-Mapera-Rabuor and Kawa-Osingo-Nyaduong Roads in Suna East, which is 11 percent complete, the Kegonga level 4 in Kuria East that is 35 percent completion and the construction of Migori Stadium that stands at 40 percent completion rate; said that the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) does not care about the process the contractors when through to get the job, but rather if they have technical capacity and know how to perform the assigned tasks.
He also disclosed that the inadequacy of technical capacity on the side of most contractors, was a major challenge affecting the completion of projects within set stipulated timelines.
Owalo explained that some contractors take-up more than one project, finding it difficult to execute them within the stipulated time frame. He advised contractors to take-up work that they can execute and implement.
“My advice to contractors is that, take-up projects that you can be able to complete on time, quality work that the public can find joy in utilizing to improve their social economic progress,” he said.
Owalo also explained that the government has been settling pending dues, and yet some contractor finds it difficult to execute their mandate.
“We have been paying the pending bills to contractors, yet the work is not being done on time; with two possible explanations, either the contractor has a lot of other projects or the money has been diverted to other causes”, he explained.
Deputy Chief of Staff also caution politicians from meddling with government implementing agencies in trying to perform their tasks in ensuring government projects are well on course.
He called upon all the government implementing agencies not to act at the will of politicians in order to execute their mandate in ensuring all projects are completed within the stipulated timeline.
“There is a reason why the GDU exist within the Executive Office of the President. We will provide the necessary protection, based on instructions received from the President to ensure the government projects are implemented and completed in the stipulated time,” he noted.
Owalo advised the contractors to communicate on time if they feel they will not complete the work on the specified time and the justifiable challenges for the same to the relevant implementing agency, saying that there are a provision and a process on how that can be addressed.
“Contractors who fail to deliver their work on the set agreed targets and goals without proper justification, will be barred and blacklisted and from accessing future government tenders,” reiterated Owalo.
Kuria East Member of Parliament, Kitayama Maisori, who accompanied Owalo, applauded the GDU for doing the site visits, to ensure that what is recorded at the national level tallies with what is actually on the ground.
Kitayama said that completing projects on time and to the required standards, will help the public enjoy the services done with their money as well as spur economic growth.
Migori County Commissioner (CC), Kisilu Mutua, said that the local Administration will continue to be the eyes and ears of the national government, to ensure all projects are properly coordinated, to ensure proper implementation.
Kisilu applauded local contractors for employing a large number of the residents in their projects, affirming that the empowerment aspect will uplift the living standards of the Migori people.
Other projects visited by Owalo included the Mabera Affordable Housing, which is 97 per cent complete.
The Sh1.8billion billion 60-unit three-block is almost complete, only lacking amenities such as electricity and water.
