By JULIUS PHIRI –

AUTHORITIES in Eastern Province have written to Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication to take action against a contractor for failing to start working on Petauke urban roads.

Provincial permanent secretary, Chileshe Mulenga said the upgrading of roads in the district town had stalled because Plinth Construction Company could not start works after winning the contract.

“We are now in the process of terminating the contract in Petauke and we have written to Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication to take action,” he said.

Dr Mulenga, however, described 2013 as a fair year for the province after managing to implement a number of projects including the construction of roads.

Some of the roads under construction are Jenda, Chipata–Vubwi-Chadiza road as well as the Chipata-Chadiza-Katete road.

There is also Chipata–Mfuwe and some township roads in Chipata and Lundazi that were being upgraded to bituminous standard by Sable Transport and Construction Limited.

The Government with funding from the European Union has awarded Condril and Montal Engil for the periodic maintenance on Great East Road from Luangwa Bridge to Mwami Border Post.

Dr Mulenga said the province was also faced with challenges such as stalled projects. He cited the construction of Nyimba District Hospital where the contractor failed to do the work.

He also said the newly created districts such as Vubwi and Sinda were now operating as all officers had moved to their respective regions.

Dr Mulenga said poor work culture by some public service officers was still a concern.