By KT Reporter
Agago District leaders have hired a new contractor to complete the stalled construction of Wol Seed Secondary School. Wol Seed Secondary School is among the 111 schools lined by the government for construction in selected sub-counties without secondary schools, with funding from a World Bank loan, under the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UgIFT) Program.
Mesco Company Limited was contracted to complete the work worth shillings 2.6 billion by May 2024. However, the contractor allegedly abandoned the work at only 65 percent, forcing the district to terminate his contract on 5th March 2025, after giving him two deadline extensions.
Samuel Nyeko, the Principal Assistant Secretary, announced that the district has procured the construction Company Standhope Construction and General Merchandise to complete the construction of the school. Nyeko is optimistic that the new contractor will complete the work valued at shillings 1.3 billion, within three months.
Alfred Otto, the head teacher of Wol Seed Secondary School, noted that when the government announced funding for the construction of the school, they were overjoyed that they would work in comfortable structures. However, that excitement has faded with the delay in the construction work.
Otto explained that currently, the senior one students are studying in a meeting hall, because the school, which operates in a former displaced primary school, has only three small classrooms.
He appealed to the contractor and district leaders to ensure the fast completion of the structures, to make the learners comfortable, and also attract more learners to enroll.
Leonard Ojok, the Agago District chairperson, expressed that he was among those who felt stressed due to the delay in completing the school project. “The community surrounding the school would frequently call to inquire about the project status, adding to the pressure,” Ojok said.
Ojok is hopeful that the procurement of the new contractor will inject new energy and resources into the project, ultimately benefiting the students and the community who have been eagerly awaiting the completion of the school.
Morris Ocana, the Agago Assistant Resident District Commissioner, cautioned the district leadership about the consequences of delayed payments to contractors, emphasizing that they negatively affect the quality of work. Ocana stressed that timely payments are crucial for ensuring that the contractor delivers high-quality services without facing financial anxiety.
He asked the new contractor to ensure that they do quality work, to avoid instances where cracks and holes develop on the floors after a few months. Kennedy Akena, the Director of Stanhope Construction Company, has pledged to work hand in hand with the community and the leaders within three months, and hand over the facilities to the Authorities as scheduled in July 2025.
Once completed, the school will have classroom blocks, Administrative blocks, an ICT laboratory, a multipurpose hall, two units of science laboratories, a football field, and latrines-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
