FROM: Karonga Stadium Development Committee,
P.O.Box 35, Karonga.
TO :
• District commissioner -Karonga
• Chair of Karonga District council,
• Contractor-Nangaunozge,
• LDF Secretariat, Red Cross House, Area 14, capital City, Lilongwe
• Consultants for the stadium (GOPAWorld Wide consultants and DSA).
CC : Media
1. Background
Karonga Stadium officially commence on 9th October 2015. Officials from LDF Secretariat, Engineers from contractor, district council officials, Chair of Stadium Development Committee and its executive members witnessed the signing ceremony of the long awaited stadium.
It was made clear that the construction of the stadium will start on 15th October 15 and be completed within a period of 52 weeks. KSDC had their 2nd visit on the 23rd December, 2015.
To date, 31/12/15, twelve weeks after commencement of works represent 21% of the construction time. Karonga community would like to seriously register, as well as put on record their disappointment with the progress so far, having observed lack of seriousness from the contractor, LDF engineer and Karonga District Council.
To date the committee met and conducted the press briefing at Karonga recreation centre.
2. Issues prompting 2ndpetition and addressing to DC, Chair, Contractor, LDF, Consultants, Media.
2.1. Contract agreement has not been shared with stakeholders as agreed during signing. It still remains a secretive document.
2.2. Inadequate equipment for construction. Very few equipment is observed on site with too much idle time.
2.3. It took more than 5 weeks for works to start after signing. It had to take our stadium committee’s push or reminders for the works to start.
2.4. Definitely the percentage of project time does not tally with the amount of work done. Work done is almost less than less than 8%.The community is not sure also whether the amount spent sofar on the construction would tally with amount of work done on site.
2.5. There is little update from responsible officers to advise the citizenry of Karonga on the progress of the works
2.6. The timelines are not shared
2.7. Non availability of consultant on site. The consultant is not full time at the site to supervise the works.
2.8. Non-committal to incorporating the agreed input from stadium committee as earlier demanded
2.9. Poor organization of monthly meetings. Even some council members are not informed of such meetings, which should be communicated to all stakeholders in good time.
2.10. Continued silence on recruitment of the locals to benefit inform of employment
2.11. Whilst all these responsible duty bearers are making unnecessary delays, our Kwacha is losing its value: As of now $1 is equivalent to 1MK672. The project was approved when the dollar was around MK400 to MK500. Such delays may likely lead into economic frustrations.
3. DEMANDS
People of Karonga are not expecting any raw deal. We are expecting:
3.1. Correlation between time spent on construction to progress
3.2. Reports from consultant and contractor on monthly basis, which is not the case
3.3. Transparence and accountability, in line with
3.3.1. Disclosure of contract to relevant stakeholders of now and money spent as of now.
3.3.2. Meaningful engagement of stadium Development Committee
3.3.3. Development and shared timelines and milestones for the project
3.3.4. Recruitment of local people during construction within the month of January 2016
3.3.5. Engineers and key staff declared during evaluation of consultancy should be on site as per agreement, and no more remote control from Lilongwe. However, contractor is seen on site through their Site Engineer.
3.4. Incorporation of our inputs such as VIP extension, drilling of bore holes as earlier submitted.
3.5. District Council to summon LDF and all technical engineers to a round table in Karonga immediately (2 weeks from now), in order to resolve the issues raised.
3.6. Immediately institute the Project Management/Steering Committee as stipulated in the project proposal-Council to stop using one officer as a sole supervisor of the project.
3.7. There is need to disclose how much has been spent already
3.8. That Accountability posters for the project be mounted in all strategic areas in Karonga
3.9. Assurance for Quality and timely completion of the funded phase
In view of the above issues and demands, we are therefore requesting your office to call for an urgent meeting for all relevant stakeholders two weeks from now.
Signed Dated: 31.12.2015
Kossum Munthali-
Chairperson-Karonga Stadium Development Committee
MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED THE BRIEFING
1. Khumbo Mwafulirwa ( Team leader, construction and quality control subcommittee)
2. Council Harry Hudson Mwanyembe ( representative of Chair of the council and council of Rukulu ward)
3. Kossum Munthali ( chairperson for Karonga Stadium development committee)
4. Father Rev. Leslie Mtekateka (Treasurer and Chair of finance and fundraising committee)
5. Davie Myombe (Rep of football Association)
6. Joseph Sinyangwe (Member)
7. Wakisa Mwambetania ( Publicity secretary and team leader for the publicity subcommittee))
8. Saulos Nyirenda ( chair for coaches association)
9. Mr. SRK Kayira ( Focal person for the stadium committee from the council)
10. Mike Mboma ( Athletics association chair)
11. Alexander Mhango ( Media)
12. Ndamiwe Kalambo (Rep Kilupula ADC and Executive member)
13. Smith Kalambo (Mbande ADC chair and Executive member)
14. Mr. Kadenge Mwafulirwa (Executive member)
15. Mr. P. Nyirenda (member)
16. All Media houses in Karonga ( Zodiac, Tuntufye, Dinosaur, Capital FM, Manna, radio Islam, Maravipost and Nyasa times)
