Some concerned citizens
in Nkhotakota District have expressed concern over delays in completing the
rehabilitation of Sitima Inn into a fully-fledged hotel.
The citizens, who spoke
to Umunthu FM on condition of anonymity, said they are surprised by the slow
pace at which the project is being completed, despite hopes that it would
create employment and business opportunities for local people.
One of the concerned
citizens said the council has repeatedly assured them that the building would
be completed, but a year and some months have passed without the project being
finalised.
“Some parts of the building have already been
damaged, and the structure is now in a shabby state,” the citizen said.
The citizens believe that
completing the project in good time would have created job opportunities and
allowed businesses to benefit from the facility.
The picture shows inside the building.
Meanwhile, Chairperson for Nkhotakota District Council, Fitton Khofi, said the council has
allocated funds for the final phase of the project.
Khofi said the Governance
to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) programme injected K328 million into the
rehabilitation works.
He said the remaining
work includes procuring furniture and completing the final finishing touches to
ensure that the facility meets hotel standards.
Khoffi, Nkhotakota district Council Chairperson.
“Funds have been
allocated for the final phase of the project,” Nkhofi said.
Nkhotakota District
Council has allocated about K415.6 million from the Constituency Development
Fund (CDF) to Pen Investment for the project.
