Luwingu Council demands probe of Chambeshi Water Company over K14 million

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Luwingu District
Luwingu District

Luwingu District Council has appealed to Northern Province Permanent Secretary  Hlobota Nkunika to investigate how the K14 million meant for the Luwingu water reticulation system was utilized by Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company.

Luwingu District Planning Officer Davy Mbulo said the funds were sourced from Irish Aid to overhaul the water reticulation system to enable improvements of water supply in the area.

He lamented that Luwingu district has been facing serious challenges of water supply because of the old dilapidated pipes which are constantly bursting.

Mr Mbulo said there is a possibility that the monies might have been diverted to some other districts leaving out Luwingu from benefiting.

Mr Mbulo was speaking at a meeting held at Luwingu Boarding Secondary School.

The meeting was aimed at finding a lasting solution to the poor sanitary conditions at the school which is posing a health hazard pupils and the teacher.

And speaking at the same meeting Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobota Nkunika apologised on behalf of the Ministry of Education for prematurely announcing the reopening of Luwingu Secondary School which was recently closed on public health grounds.

Mr Nkunika said the Ministry of Education in Luwingu district erred by coming up with the dates of reopening the school without consulting authorities that slapped the ban on the institution.

The school was closed on April 11, 2014 due to unsanitary conditions following recommendations by the Provincial Medical Officer Dr Ernest Mutale.

“I would like to apologize on behalf of the ministry of education for the advertisement made on Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation and Radio Mano regarding the reopening of the secondary school without following the correct procedures,” he said.

He maintained that the school will remain closed until all the major concerns cited in the closing of the school are addressed.

He however confirmed that the government through the ministry of education had released K890, 100 to rehabilitate the entire sewerage and water reticulation system at the secondary school.

The Permanent Secretary warned that he will not tolerate misuse of public funds adding that whoever will be found wanting will face the law.

And Luwingu Boarding Secondary School head teacher, Andrew Chipili complained to the Permanent Secretary on the whereabouts of the K72, 000 which was released by the Irish Aid for the rehabilitation of the water reticulation system at the school.

Mr Chipili disclosed that Irish Aid released the funds in 2012 through Luwingu district council to procure the necessary materials meant for rehabilitation of water reticulation at the school but little or nothing has been done.

He said that if the materials were bought and replaced the school would not be in the current situation which has prompted the closure by the concerned authorities and stakeholders.

Mr Chipili further disclosed that Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company (CWSC) had not renovated the water reticulation system at institution although it was claiming that the works were done.

He said he was disappointed to note that the cooperating partner had released the funds for the rehabilitation of water reticulation system at the institution but the misuse of funds by some disgruntled officers has resulted in the closure of the school.

“I am disappointed with the way funds have been utilized by the officers who were charged with the responsibility to disburse the said funds,” complained Chipili.


And Lupososhi Member of Parliament, Lazarus Bwalya appealed to the authorities entrusted with funds to utilize them for the intended purpose so that the school can reopen and allow pupils attend classes and write all the examinations within the calendar.

 

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