03 Aug 2020

Government has taken a decision to withdraw and reallocate the Isaac Makwala Stadium funds to a faster moving project.

This was said by Assistant Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Mr Buti Billy when answering a question in Parliament.

He further lamented that the practice was not new and was applied in project management to ensure progress in any given financial year.

“Funds were transferred to Tutume Sub-district in March 2019 for commencement of the project, but the total budget allocation for the project was P5 million,” he said.

Mr Billy said a piece of land was identified early 2019, but it was realised that the land earmarked for the stadium needed to be rehabilitated  at a cost of approximately P3 million, which was half of the allocated funds.

He also added that originally the land was identified was at Magapatona Ward whilst the alternative site was at Madikwe and the community was divided on the issue of moving the project.

“This relocation of funds is administrative and does not require community consultation, however, local authorities were advised of the decision as the land issue was unresolved,” he added. 

Assistant Minister Billy assured the house that the project remained part of NDP11 and would be subjected to the normal budgeting process in the next financial year if the land was made available.

He was answering a question in Parliament from MP for Nkange, Dr Never Tshabang, who had asked the minister to give an update on  why the funds for the construction of the stadium were reallocated to other projects. 

Dr Tshabang had also wanted to know if there was any consultation with people of Tutume Sub-District and what assurances the minister could give that the funds would be returned when needed. Ends