The construction of the new Wau County Headquarters in Ngo-Baggari is well behind schedule due to numerous political and technical challenges.
This came out during the visit State Governor Rizik Zachariah Hassan on Thursday made to the site to inspect the ongoing construction, Voice of Hope reported.On January 28, Governor Zachariah formed a committee headed by the Minister of Local Governance, Angelo Taban Biajo, Wau County Commissioner Elia Kamilio Dimo and two state MPs to supervise the construction that was intended to end in early July.
The committee was granted 150,000 South Sudanese Pounds and a workforce from State Prison Service.
County Commissioner Kamilio explained that the construction work is still at the foundations level due to technical and political problems.
He said the estimation of costs done by the first Civil Engineer was wrong and the foundations took 250 bags of cement instead of the planned 80.
Mr Dimo added that he was promised to be assisted by 40 prisoners, but he got 25.
He complained that the constructor does not have a blacksmith and a carpenter and there was sabotage and resistance from the local community.
Governor Zachariah described the pace of construction as very slow.
He complained that the reports he got were wrong: although the government gave 150 thousand pounds the work done was worthy of 30 or 40 thousand.
The Governor added that the report said the foundations consumed 400 bags of cement but in reality was only 250.
He added that although the work is behind schedule he expects the headquarters to be ready by July 1 as it was programmed.
Governor Zachariah urged the county authorities to change strategy in order to complete construction on time.
He pledged to support the construction and promised to install a tent at the place to follow the works more closely.