DEPUTY Minister of Sport Stephen Masumba is not happy with the plastic canopy that has been fitted at the stadium under construction in Lusaka. Masumba, who toured the facility yesterday, said the Patriotic Front government believes in quality.
But clerk of works at the stadium Francis Mundanya said the canopy has a guarantee of 20 to 30 years.
“I decided to come and see things for myself because I do not believe in hearsay. From my thinking, I thought the plastic covers will be replaced, but to my surprise, I have been informed that this is the final touch. It is very sad that we are accepting something that will not last, and it is because of such shoddy works that the netball and tennis courts at the National Sports Development Centre (NASDEC) have cracks, barely six months after construction,” Masumba said.
He called on the local engineers attached at the stadium to engage their Chinese counterparts before certain decisions are made. Masumba, however, commended SCG on the progress made on the stadium.
He said it is gratifying that most of the interior works have been completed.
And Mundanya said 82 percent of the work has been done. He said the contractor is now working on the exterior. The task includes levelling of the surrounding car parking facilities and the access roads. This will be done in conjunction with the Road Development Agency.
Mundanya has also called on Government through the Ministry of Sport and Youth to help reinforce security at the stadium. He said construction material is being stolen daily. He said six police officers, who operate in shifts of two, are inadequate.
Meanwhile, SCG regional representative Michael Ray said they are waiting for Government to name the stadium before they start fitting seats. Ray said construction is likely to be completed in December this year.
Masumba..hahah..you mean you never saw any plastics even that area around NIPA!, this when you seeinf them, those plastics have been there ever since time in history
m
He is trying to stay relevant.
clerk of works at the stadium Francis Mundanya. Uteko batempe……..Good job. we are behind you Man. After those books at UNZA and working throughout the country let this chaps sleep. When are seeing other contractor in Muchinga university and possible hospita in Livingstone. Tell that man Tempe Zinakula.
Cheers man.
Name the stadium after FTJ Chiluba. He made a very valuble contribution to economic, social and political emancipations and gains currently being experienced in Zambia
Mr. Minister, using polymers is not only cheap but provides a durable alternative. Steel or galvanized roofing requires constant maintenance. Inspect the type of polymer used and research on its properties before you totally condemn the constructor
agree wit u.
Dontcare my brother. That is the problem of having a country where everybody wants to be an expert on everything. He is not an Engineer or an Architect to have Authority over the type of material installed on a structure. Hearsay my foot. Why did he not engage the design Engineer to get clarification on why the “Plastic” was used. Who told him that “Quality” is using using iron sheets??????. He does not even understand what Quality means. Yes he is trying to be relevant indeed.
let the free masons comment here. pantu we are not very knowledgeable in structures and designs. But what does the minister mean when he says plastics. this term is diverse. what nature of plastics is he talking about. ama polymers yalipusana sana,and depending on the use,they are actually better and much more environmental friendly than what he might be used to (asbestos etc).
LOL!
We are going to Brazil, whatever will be will be!! At this rate, we might even be holding the world cup by the time it comes back to Africa in 20…penda ifikondo.
…yes you are confused.
Expressing ingnorance in public…what a shame.
Masumba complete your Artisanal Accounting course first, that’s when we can listen to you, Please don’t ever Embarrass yourself again. Public display of ignorance..
I did not know this minister was a technical person to specify what materials to use? I thought he was another thug!
let him first explain his fake qualifications
When I heard that five bandits had been shot dead by police, I thought one of those was Masumba. I see he is still around!
even an illiterate like masumba can afford to open his mouth over things he does not understand.
“Meanwhile, SCG regional representative Michael Ray said they are waiting for Government to name the stadium before they start fitting seats”……Whats the logic? I thought that thing is Lusaka Stadium? I hope you are not waiting for the dreamer to come up with one!
THE LOGIC IS THAT THE NAME WILL DETERMINE HOW THEY ARRANGE CHAIRS TO SPELL THE NAME. UNLIKE LEVY STADIUM INDICATING NDOLA ON THE SEAT ARRANGEMENT.
On this one i can strangely agree with masumba, i have been there and its not about whether that plastic will last for ever but it just looks wack. it looks cheap and its a mis match to sit on that great structure. These chinese should not be allowed to just do things and we accept..No . At Levy they messed up on the playing surface, that grass is never green ad yet every time we watch matches from europe or even down in south africa the grass is green. lets be serious.
Iwe after constructing the stadium for you you want them to water the grass as well.And this ka minister this stadium is in Lusaka where his offices are and he has free fuel not to mention a car and driver who takes him everywhere,this is when he is seeing the ka roof after they have even finished building.So who will cover the cost of redoing the works.What a circus.
Masumba has no basis for his argument . Does he know what was specified and guarantees in the contract. He is being silly and simplistic , the fact that it looks like plastic doesn’t make it one. I suspect he wanted iron sheets!!!.
Check around the world , most recently built stadiums have these types of materials for roofing. This is for various advantageus reasons, minimal load on the structure , durability and aesthetics.
That is the problem we have in Zambia. This minister do not know anything about construction and we zambians have allowed him to do so shame where is the engineer here to clear the kanshi
This stadium should have been built somewhere off Kafue road. If we host tournament, two games played in lusaka at same time, great north road will be packed with traffic. Nice work though.
Masumba at work!! hahahahah
Bwana minister your youths in Mufumbwe are crying for sports facilities like tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts etc. Let the architecs do there thing by recommending the right material for that stadium. Please listen to the plight of the youths in mufumbwe because 2016 is just around the corner. Twanaka ukulolela ba MP.
With the Zambian dust and garbage, the clor of the roof will son change
So Ba minister mwikalafye mu office until there’s “hearsay” in the air? What a reactive approach towards work! Now, here’s what you must do?
1. Check whether indeed this material is plastic or turpoline(sp)
2. Find out what the most adverse wind speeds are in Lusaka, especially in the locality of that stadium. 3. Check what the rated maximum wind speeds are for the material in question as well as the max temperature it can withstand. 4. Check that the troughs are not so severe as to allow too much water to collect( remember, one of the new stadia in Brazil has just collapsed due to this problem) Then based on all the above, decide whether to keep or replace this “plastic”. It’s very disappointing and annoying that these steps are a normal design review process at commencement…
Wanu Ngwee. Are you sure Masumba can carryout that technical analysis?
The roof looks like escape dinghys on the Costa Concordia…
😉
😀
He wants the silver malata. the ones he is used to seeing in the komboni. yaabaaa!
All these days where was he???????????????
I do not know what he is going to do when finds out that 50% of his own car is plastic. Plastic is used in such constructions with Healthy & safety in mind, in case there is disaster, the roof should not inflict serious injuries on people in the stadium. Please do not waste your votes on individuals like this Minister.
The ka fool does not realise that in the construction process enginneers and architects and quantity surveyors[with genuine papers not like his forged cabs certificate]were involved.
His point was that the roofing of Levy stadium in Ndola was done properly why not do the same?i support him on this one.Site seeing the stadium at a distance one wounders if the are balloons covering the roof or something and it’s dusty.The picture on the view screen is also not clear. I hope Hnr Kambwili should pay a visit before the President is called to officially open it.The other thing is they must construct along wall fence that can cover the eyesore appearance of Mandevu compound.What is the ministry of local govt or Lcc doing about this? mind that you will expect foreing vistors to be coming watch games at this stadium whenever there is an international match.
what an *****!! how do u open your mouth on this u dont understand. A NIPA dropout!! atase… this calibre of leaders awe mwe.
Another reason why we don’t need Deputy ministers in this bloated gov’t!!
Mr. Minister, I think it had to do with weight. Please consult the engineers before you speak in public. In the multitude of counsel there is knowledge.
Dear bloggers.
those commenting on what you do not understand. For the sake of your knowledge, this is structural design and construction material usage. All European teams you watch, all their stadium have been made using the same materials. don’t comment like our minister on something you don’t know.
Ba D/Minister, have you just woken up from a deep slumber? Where were you all this time when designs were being worked on,completed, agreed upon, and all parties signed up to? There is nothing like ` hearsay` in this case. Experienced engineers must have spent their precious time analysing and recommending use of the material under discussion. If you are in doubt, please employ an engineer to advise you before you open your mouth!
NAME THE STADIUM AS GEORGE MPOMBO STADIUM