Housing Committee Inspects Shimo La Tewa Housing Project
The Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works today conducted an inspection of Shimo La Tewa Housing Project in Mombasa in the company of the State Department for Housing and Urban Planning.
The project is part of the institutional housing program being implemented by the government to provide housing for prison officers and improve their living conditions.
Led by the chairperson, Hon. Johana Ng’eno, the Committee noted that the project was 95 per cent complete.
This inspection visit was a follow up tour to establish if the recommendations made by the Committee about a year ago, had been implemented and whether there was notable progress in the program.
The legislators were accompanied by the officials from the State Department for Housing and Urban Planning led by the Principal Secretary, Mr. Charles Hinga.
Hon. Johana Ng’eno challenged PS Charles Hinga to ensure due diligence while identifying contractors to undertake the State Department’s projects, and called on the Department to edge out those who had undertaken the collapsed buildings’ projects, and those whose projects had stalled.
In response, PS Hinga urged the Committee to consider empowering the regulators to enhance the execution of their mandate.
With regard to the housing project at Shimo La Tewa, he explained that the COVID-19 pandemic had caused the delays to its completion leading to the extension of the timelines.
The lawmakers underscored the importance of carrying out public participation on projects with a huge impact on the Kenyan citizenry.
“Each part of the country needs a market and high masts. Students are facing accommodation challenges in Universities and Colleges with some parents spending more on hostels than school fees for their children”, noted Hon. Ng’eno.
The Committee also stressed on the need for the State Department to streamline its procurement process so as to ensure a win-win situation with contractors receiving timely payments, for timely and proper completion of projects.
The Members further urged the State Department to see to it that project managers take responsibility in relation to indemnity.
Post Author
