Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Government sources K53 million to complete Livingstone Market and Bus Terminus

Share

Above are the two newly installed escalators at the new international bus terminus in Livingstone.
Above are the two newly installed escalators at the new
international bus terminus in Livingstone.

THE Government has sourced K53 million to complete the long awaited construction of the ultramodern Town Centre Market and International Bus Terminus in Livingstone.

Speaking in an interview, Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said the funding would be adequate to complete the two projects by the end of this year.

“We are now on course as Government has sourced K53 million for the two projects. We are now paying the contractors and very soon, you will see contractors getting on site to resume construction activities,” he said.

He said the two projects would be handed over and opened for use by the first quarter of 2016.

The ultramodern town centre market and an international terminus were some of the legacy projects initiated in 2013 ahead of the global tourism event.

In February 2013, Ndilila Associates and Architects project managers signed the contract with the Southern Province administration through former Southern Province Permanent Secretary Mulenga Chileshe to construct the bus terminus at a cost of K41.5 million.

Further, GES Architects was given a contract to construct an ultramodern market at the Town Centre at a cost of K28.5 million. However, the construction of the two projects slowed down due to lack of funds but the securing of the finances is set to expedite the construction exercise.

In a related development, Livingstoine District Commissioner Omar Munsanje has assured that the ongoing construction of Mulala Bridge across the Maramba River will be completed before the end of this year.

More than 700 households in Livingstone’s Mulala Village in Libuyu Ward were cut off from the rest of the tourists’ capital after bridge collapsed due to heavy rains in January this year.

However, the Zambia Army is currently leading a team of engineers working on the Bridge while the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) are providing equipment under the supervision of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

Mr Munsanje said in an interview that the bridge would be re-constructed soon to protect the people that had been risking their lives in crossing the crocodile infested river.

“The preparatory works are currently going on smoothly before the actual re-construction of the 10 metres high Bridge can start. The actual Bridge won’t take long to construct. The main works are the ones that are being done currently,” Mr Munsanje said.

“The people of Mulala should continue being patient as we will deliver the infrastructure to them before the end of this year,” he said.

8 COMMENTS

  1. How are Architects signing building contracts? And if K41Million was initially granted for the construction of the terminal building , how in the world are they granting an additional K53Million for the building’s completion? And are we entering the phase of aborted projects and uncompleted buildings that characterised the construction industry in the 1980’s? Ndilia should know as he was always been a major player from the time. What ever happened to building within the client’s budget etc?

    • Not to justify wrong things, but you need to know that the contract has provisions like increases in costs recovery, and costs associated with extended contract periods.In this case, I would guess that since the project has been delayed by the Client for no-payment, the Contractor is entitled for recovery of extension of time costs. Therefore, costs can sore to the above mentioned levels in no time.

  2. “We are now on course as Government has sourced K53 million for the two projects. We are now paying the contractors and very soon, you will see contractors getting on site to resume construction activities,” he said.

    From the look of things this project like many GRZ projects have gone over budget because of delay in payments does anybody not see anything wrong with this picture we are paying twice as much now for a market close to K100miliion ..this is the recklessness I always talk about. And this bum is even proud of himself.

  3. Really? With the current load shedding and long-term problems meeting Zambia’s demand for electricity, wouldn’t stairs or ramps have been a better and more cost effective solution… for a bus station?

    With all the glass walls and little ventilation, it looks like they’re planning to air condition the place too!

    • You are right Spuds,

      The building is not sustainable. We are talking about mechanical ventilation for all the glass in the building. Escalators are a high maintenance component and don’t be surprised if they are used as static staircase in a year’s time. This whole thing is just a cash cow for the contractor, consultants and corrupt officials.

  4. The best thing is the new facilities, updated to modern standards. @Jay Jay, another way to look at it is to take in consideration the Kwacha and volatility in money markets. Risk Assessors, must surely have taken into consideration the possibility of an increment in costs to the project….., effects of late payments, kwacha performance.

    • Do you think risk assesors take into account of late payment of 6 months+ literally stalling the project? If they did no contractor would find this project economically attractive.
      I wonder where they will get the funds to maintain all those facilities. From rentals?

    • Since I do not have crystal ball…….I can only go by the evidence we all have witnessed. Healthy economies go up and then down. Economic theorists are on record that it happens some 10 years at a time. In my life time in the UK, I have been through 2 really bad recessions and high unemployment during Thatcher and current times. I have reinvented myself so many times to fit new job markets it not even a joke!

      With a positive outlook, I can say, when the economy picks up…….you won’t be fretting like!…..oh wait you’re @Jay Jay, the Glass is always ‘half empty,’ never ‘half full,’ ……..let’s all commit suicide!

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading