By Lewis Changwe –

THE Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing has released K200,000 to clear salary arrears for the workers engaged to construct a modern civic centre in Mwense District.
Mwense District Commissioner Geoffrey Chipampata disclosed the development to ZANIS in Mwense recently saying the move by the Government to pay the workers was non-political but shows  commitment of improving the welfare of the people.
The DC said EMB Engineering works and general suppliers a contactor engaged to build the modern civic centre in the district owed 55 general workers a total of more than K199,000.
Mr Chipampata said so far more than  K117,000 had been paid to 49 general workers adding that only six who were in management positions were yet to be paid.
He said the ministry of Local Government and Housing would send more funds to complete the construction of the civic centre in the district.
And the general workers confirmed having been paid their salary arrears.
One of the workers Andrew Chabala told ZANIS that the payment had come at a right time as it would help them pay for their children’s school fees and buy the farming inputs for the forthcoming farming season.
The general workers have since thanked government for the intervention.
The construction of the modern civic centre in Mwense by a Zambian contractor EMB Engineering works and general suppliers started in June 2013 and should have been completed by February 2014 but the project is still at roof level.