Minister Jappie to take Sawa contractors to task over bridge shoddy workmanship

Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango, has said is dissappointed with compromised quality over the Mchesi Bridge in the capital Lilongwe that got washed away by heavy rains two days ago.

Chidzanja Bridge damaged by floods -Pic by Roy Nkosi

Mhango, who toured the place on Friday, said the new bridge is very far from reaching its life span.

According to Mhango, government will have to question the contractor on why it came up with shoddy work.

“We can’t afford to compromise quality. We will have to take the contractor to task for poor workmanship. This is taxpayers’ money, and it has to be seriously accounted for,” said Mhango.

Nyasa Times understands that Sawa Group—one of the companies that have received numerous construction projects—was contracted to do the job.

Mhango said his ministry will go around the country to check construction projects that are not up to it.

“Where some of these projects are failing we will have to revise for purposes of re-awarding other contracts in the future,” he said.

A heavy downpour that lasted three hours wrecked havoc in  some parts of Lilongwe such as Biwi, Kawale, Area 36, Kaliyeka and Chipasula.

An assessment by the department of disasters and preparedness indicates that at least two people are missing and that 176 households have been affected.

Minister of Homeland Security, Nicholas Dausi, visited the areas and pledged speedy support from government.

Sawa Group, a company which has connections to the corridors of power, constructed the multi-million bridge which only lasted a few months and got washed away during the flooding.

“The works were shoddy. When we hire a contractor, we expect high standards, we expect high quality work within the specified period and budget,” said Mhango.

He said this was not the case with the Kawale-Mchesi bridge, saying the contractor will have to work on it again.

“The advantage is that we are in a period when the contractor is responsible for what happens to the bridge,” said Mhango.

Some Malawians on social media are blaming the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for shoddy construction works on most projects as the party wants to deliver its campaign promises of 2014 before the May 21 highly contentious tripartite elections which are due in just three months’ time.

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Yonas
Yonas
5 years ago

Let us analyze events that led to this washaway. The conclusion that it is due to poor workmanship is jumping the gun… check human settlement patterns and water course behaviour and or previous flood history at the culvert site… just to mention but a few

concerned citizen
concerned citizen
5 years ago

Mr minister Mhango, all projects whether small or big should be inspected at every stage during construction. Are there no clarks of works ( construction works inspectors ) in your ministry who are supposed to do inspection of construction projects for the government side? You say you have an advantage because the bridge is still not handed over. Suppose it was already handed over ? Tax payers money would have been lost. The country has already lost billions on other projects where shoddy work was done.

Namale
5 years ago

Jappie why this is happening under your jurisdiction?
l do remember you when you was a contractor you was a good one. And Under Mr Sulumba in ministry of works had strong projects.. real concrete… give the projects to Malawians they love their country please !!!!
This is shame to the country.

Pitala and Zamiya K145 million

The bridge constructed by the MCP government never experienced this. Today contractors achimwenye akudyetsa dpp and end result zinthu zosalimba. Ndani mmwenye adakalimba mtima kumpatsa Kamuzu Banda K145 million? Lero Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba akudyetsedwa ndi amwenye a Fargo, Master Construction, Sawa etc. Garbage in Garbage out. Garbage government. Garbage president. Look at the patches on Chilambula road near area 15. Master Construction did a poor job on the area 18 to area 49 road before Mota Engil came in.

Ida
Ida
5 years ago

Infact it took the contractor the whole month to demolish it

Shameon mps
Shameon mps
5 years ago

Zisankho tsopano. Wanting to score points. How pathetic it is that our so called Leaders always wait four years to act. We have had MP’s since the Kamuzu era but still having dangerous bridges and no descent roads. The majority of those fighting for positions are not doing so to serve but short cut to getting rich. If indeed e had MP with the welfare of people at heart , Malawi will have been well developed. Just a basic needs like water. MP s without shame are still selling the message of Boreholes as opposed to clean Tap water. The… Read more »

Magwira
Magwira
5 years ago

Muona kuti mutani si ndalama mukumagawana nokha

Bob
Bob
5 years ago

I thought such projects goverment do also have their people on the ground to check on quality and compliance to standards. What were these people doing. Waste of public funds, loss of trust by the malawian citizenry

Agenda Setting Theory
Agenda Setting Theory
5 years ago

Bridge lomangila mawaya mawaya lero?

Mlomwe Original
Mlomwe Original
5 years ago

Kodi mukapereka contract sipakhala quality checker? Kondi ma contractor simuwapasa ms specification?
Ndi izitu contractor wadya zaulere.

4444 Nooo
4444 Nooo
5 years ago

Jappi usatipusise of late sawa has come to be a house hold name in every government project, sawa came in as a water boring company from nowhere they have taken over all civil works in v country and v reason why is known by u Japison,so dont fool us we kno we can c

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