Baisu work halted

By ELIAS LARI
WORK on the K38 million Baisu jail building project in Western Highlands is at a standstill.
Work stopped last Tuesday as the construction company called off its workers in protest at not being paid the correct amount.The Simply Blue Colour construction firm stopped after being paid K50,000 of the K300,000 invoice it sent to the government.The company said it used its own money to import materials when funds were not released on time. But it said it could not pay workers with the money it had been given.
The project involved building a court house, cell blocks, ablution blocks, female shelter, female dormitory, female mass and fitting of water tanks.A total of K10 million was released for phase one which was the building projects.
A company source said: “The materials were imported from Australia and then additional costs are added to the job.”There are no advance payments and that is resulting in the company spending its own money to keep the project going.Company managing director Michael Nali could not comment.
“I have to get the clearance from CIS and will not make any comments on it,” Nali said.
He said they would resume work today.
Attempts to get in touch with the commander of Baisu jail were unsuccessful.