Education CS Prof. George Magoha speaking after breaking ground for CBC classrooms at Obuolo Secondary in Kisumu County. [Washington Onyango,Standard]
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has warned officers in the ministry against manipulating the system and blocking payment of contractors who have completed building Competent Based Curriculum classrooms.
Magoha said there were some hinderances in payment of the contractors who had finished work.
He confirmed that the Government has released Sh3.2 billion to pay contractors who have completed work and hence there should be no bottlenecks in process.
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Speaking at Aluor Girl’s and Ramba Boy’s High schools in Siaya County where he assessed the building of CBC classrooms, he claimed the payment process of those who had finished should not take more than three days once the correct papers are brought to the ministry.
“If officials bring papers which are not correct, the ministry will start acting as from next week because we do not want rogues and crooks in our system. This is because there are very clear guidelines on what one has to do to ensure the papers are ready for payment,” said Magoha.
He added: “Can our offices ensure they double check the documents before bringing them to Jogoo House because this money does not have any percentage for anybody since it is all going to the vendor. Our President, Uhuru Kenyatta has ensured there is liquid money waiting to be used to pay those who have completed the classrooms.”
The CS asked officials in his ministry including the regional directors of education, regional commissioners and others that incase of any hitches they should consult him directly.
“I will swiftly ensure the roadblock is removed. This is because we are constructing these classrooms at Sh788,000 and the Sh200,000 or Sh300,000 profit is meant for the local contractor or vendor. There is no money for anybody else to eat, whether you are a public works officer or any official of the ministry,” said Magoha.
