During a visit to a rural school in the Morobe Province on 23 March 2022, the Ombudsman Commission observed building materials delivered to the site and was informed that these materials were intended for the construction of a science laboratory. The school had been selected under a program for the establishment of standard science laboratories.
The Commission revisited the rural school on 15 November 2022 and noted that although the laboratory structure had been erected, progress remained slow. Information obtained indicated that the contract, valued at K879,984.69, had been awarded in June 2021 with a duration of 13 months, setting the expected completion date at 8 July 2022. However, the project extended far beyond the contractual timeline.
After observing the delays during its second visit, the Ombudsman Commission wrote to the relevant authorities, including the procurement oversight body and education administrators, raising concerns regarding the slow progress and requesting action to ensure the project’s completion.
On 18 April 2024, the Ombudsman Commission received a Completion Report from the contractor confirming that the science laboratory at the rural school had been completed. The official completion date was recorded as 6 July 2023.