Mbala workers chase sub-contractor

Irate workers engaged by Savenda Construction Limited, the company working on Menje Day Secondary School in Mbala, have allegedly chased away the newly sub-contracted company to press for payment from the former contractor.

Mbala Acting District Commissioner, Felix Mungaila, who rushed to the project site to verify the development, has confirmed the development to ZANIS.

Mr Mungaila said the workers took the action to push for Savenda Construction Company to clear the unpaid contractual wages accumulated between four and 15 months.

He said the controversy has come about after Savenda Construction Limited engaged a working partner to construct walk-ways, sewer ponds and a playing field at the project.

The Acting District Commissioner said the workers fear that Savenda Contractor may not be able to pay them once the project is completed hence the decision to chase the new contractor away.

Mr Mungaila said the workers have questioned the source where the newly-engaged working partner is getting the money to pay its workers while the owner of the contract has failed to find money for contractual payments.

And Mr Mungaila said the district administration is greatly concerned about the delayed completion of the K28 million Menje Day Secondary School project which started in 2009 under the MMD government.

He has appealed to Savenda Construction Company for speedy completion of the project by finding money to clear the workers so that the new working partner can come and resume the works.

But when contacted, Savenda Construction Company Limited Director of Operations, Felix Mwansa, said money to pay the workers their arrears has been sourced.

Mr. Mwansa said the process of remitting the money from the main account into the Kasama account has reached an advanced stage.

He assured the workers that they will start receiving their payments next week.