By Emily M’mangisa

Zomba District Commissioner Dr. Smart Gwedemula has conceded that delays in paying contractors has been a major factor that has delayed completion of various developmental projects

Gwedemula said some of the affected projects include Songani Market and Thondwe Bus Depot.

He further disclosed that there were also some structural changes that needed to be made for the two projects and are currently being resolved.

Gwedemula said: “Currently, the contractor is changing the way the pipes were layed at Songani market. While at Thondwe, the contractor is finalizing at kiosks now and fixing on the runway and this is where the minibuses will be parked.”

He added: “The major reason that has led to the projects to take time to finish is that we had funding challenges. And in one point in time, the contractors withdrew because we could not pay them in time.”

Commenting on the same development, Principal of Public Works Danstone Mponda said the council is expecting the Songani Market to be completed this month while Thondwe Bus Depot will be completed next month.