KAMPALA – The Ntungamo district LC5 Chairperson, Samuel Muchunguzi Rwakigoba-Ssalongo has refused to commission a three-classroom block of Kikunyu primary school in Itojo, Ruhaama county over the shoddy work.
The construction work was contacted by the TREK LEGACY Construction Company Ltd.
In accompany of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Hanny Turyahebwa and the sub county leaders, Muchunguzi decided not to accept the facility which they say was poorly built.
The building ‘ready for launch’ was seen with many cracks on the floor in all classes, no steps put for each class, roofing done poorly, unfinished verandah, latrine built in a distance of 800metres from the building which is improper for the pupils to use.
According to him, the district education department released a total of Shs125 million for the School Facility Grant (SFG) in 2020/2021 which he says was enough to finish the work.
Mucunguzi who doubles as the secretary for education and sports warned to deal with such contractors who he says want to eat government funds and do shoddy work, adding that if they don’t stop that habit they can be blacklisted and their certificates of registration be cancelled.
He further noted that the contractor should clear the deflects that were discovered and tile all the 3 classrooms and the veranda plus grading and leveling the ground of the facility.
The TREK Legacy Construction Company was demanding a balance of 5%.
Mercy Ayebazibwe, the director of the accused construction company when contacted for a comment, said that the shoddy work was not intended but it was caused by poor materials like sand and cement.
Apollo Kariyo, the district engineer who is also the supervisor of the contractor also defended her saying that the cracks found on the building’s floor could have been caused by poor materials and advised the contractor to refinish her work so that she can be paid her balance.
