Member of Parliament for Mchinji South, Agnes Mkusa Nkhoma, has called on the Mchinji District Council to clarify to her constituents the reasons behind the stalling of the twin girls hostel project at Kabzala Community Day Secondary School (CDSS). The project, which was initially set to provide crucial accommodation for female students, has been abandoned for over three years, leading to growing frustration among local residents.
Nkhoma expressed her concern over the accusations directed at her by community members, who have alleged that she embezzled K179 million allocated for the hostel. Despite her efforts to clear her name and demonstrate her commitment to the project, the accusations persist, casting a shadow over her relationship with constituents.
“I have been exonerated from any wrongdoing, yet the community continues to hold me accountable,” Nkhoma stated. “It is crucial that the council provides a detailed explanation to the people of Mchinji South about what has transpired with this project.”
The Mchinji District Council’s Director of Public Works (DPW), Ellis Tembo, confirmed the claims regarding the project’s abandonment. He revealed that the contractor, who had been paid for the work, left the site without completing the construction.
“We took him to court after he abandoned the construction site. We reported him to the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) for breach of contract and misconduct. We also terminated the contract,” Tembo explained.
While Tembo assured the community that the project would be completed within the 2023-2024 fiscal year using Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funding, Nkhoma has insisted on accountability for the funds already disbursed to the contractor.
“My constituents deserve transparency regarding the funds that have already been paid. We need to ensure that every kwacha is accounted for, and that this situation does not occur again in the future,” she emphasized.
As the community awaits further clarity on the project’s future, Nkhoma’s call for accountability reflects the urgent need for transparency and trust in the management of public funds, particularly in projects that significantly impact the education and wellbeing of young girls in the region.
