Ntcheu, 2019: As a solution to low space at the old Ntcheu Community Center Ground, the district council identified construction of a magnificent stadium a priority issue to save lives and change the face of the district.
“The community centre ground was too small and close to the M1 road and was not safe for users. The capacity of the new stadium is close to 20,000 people,” says District Commissioner Smart Gwedemula.
Ideally, the project initiated in November 2017, was to be completed within a year, 2017-2018, however, there were some contributing factors that led to the delay of project completion.
Acting Director of public works at Ntcheu district council, Godfrey Njoka says directorate of buildings (DoB), the project’s key supervisors, failed to timely produce and provide a benchmark for VIP drawings to the contractor, Plem Construction Limited.
Nevertheless, at the rate the construction was going, Plem Construction Limited, Ntcheu Stadium Site Agent, Mustafa Ravda says, all things being equal, the project could be finished in the following 11 months (from 29th July, 2019).
The DC expresses disappointment after observing that technicians kept the challenge to themselves but was quick to say that he would take the necessary action to ensure the drawings were provided to the contractor.
He commends Ntcheu residents who previously lived on land the stadium was being constructed for being cooperative during discussions on compensations which gave room for stadium construction.
“The council compensated people who occupied land where stadium is being constructed. Each was paid over MK1million on average to relocate to other places,” recalls Njoka.
The stadium construction would cost close to MK 5 billion.
Once operational, the facility would help generate revenue for the council by super league games that would use it as a backyard, conducting some events like rallies or meetings, wedding ceremonies, musical shows, school football competitions which would prevent the youth from indulging in immoral behaviors.
