By URN
The construction works at Kijunjubwa Seed Secondary School in Masindi district have stalled.
Government in January 2023 with funding from the World Bank under the intergovernmental fiscal transfer (UgIFT) program commissioned the construction of Kijunjubwa Seed School at 3.3 billion Shillings. The contract was awarded to CMD Investments Limited.
The contractor was supposed to execute the construction works within 18 months and officially hand over the project to the government on July 16th 2024.
However, the construction works have stalled, even after the contractor had already been paid 1.7 billion Shillings
The components for the construction works included an administration block, staff quarters, classroom blocks, and a two-unit science laboratory block.
Other works include the construction of five stance VIP latrine blocks for boys, five stance VIP latrine blocks for girls, rainwater harvesting tanks, an ICT and Library block, and a football ground.
Our reporter visited the construction site and discovered that most of the buildings had not been roofed with several other items including doors, windows and rainwater harvesting systems not fixed.
James Rukundo, a resident of Kijunjubwa town council wonders why the contractor has taken so long not to meet the deadline of the project yet he was availed the necessary resources.
According to Rukundo, the construction site is only being overseen by casual workers employed by the contractor who can’t give appropriate answers to the delayed construction of the school.
Gerald Muhumuza, the Parents Teachers Association-PTA Chairperson of the school says that currently, learners at the school are studying in condemned structures. He wants the district authorities to allocate the contractor more time so that the construction work can be completed.
Jus Yahahya, the Kijunjubwa town council LC3 Chairperson says the completion of the school would provide a big boost not only to Kijunjubwa town council but also to children from other areas.
Godfrey Wobugabe, the LC5 Councilor for Kijunjubwa town council states that they are going to compel the contractor to complete the work as soon as possible to allow learners to occupy the structures.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi LCV Chairperson says, they are considering terminating the contract since he has failed to deliver as expected yet money was availed to him.
He has also condemned the contractor for failing to recruit adequate workers to execute the construction works.
Francis Ayena, the site Engineer admits that works at the site have currently stalled due to various factors elaborating that they commenced the construction works late after signing the contract.
According to Ayena, though they signed the contract in January 2023, the government issued them a commencement order which permits the work to commence four months later after they signed the contract.
