Construction of Zimbabwe’s biggest infrastructure
development in 24 years – the Egodini mall – which was set to open its
doors to the public this year has stalled due to the country’s financial breakdown.
Contractors developing the project aimed at changing the
face of the city business-wise have not been on site. Only test holes
drilled by geo-technical and hydrological teams remain in place. Other work has
stopped.
“The Zimbabwean economy is not doing well at the
moment. As the economy improves, we will do phase two and then phase three.
That is the way it will actually work,” said Bulawayo Mayor Solomon
Mguni.
“We have summoned the project directors and
are putting final touches before construction work can continue,”
Metropolitan Affairs minister Judith Ncube added.
Egodini mall
Located in Bulawayo, Egodini mall is
on a build, operate and transfer basis and would come at no cost to
council. The site will include a transport hub on the Basch Street ground
level, retail sections and parking bays.
South African contractor, civil engineering
firm Terracotta Trading (Private) Limited, won the tender to upgrade the former Basch Street
Terminus into a regional public transport hub in 2012.
The refurbishment is expected to see the terminus
handling at least three million travellers per month, according to the council.
As part of the redesign of the terminus, council will expand existing roads
into the site and create dedicated pedestrian routes to increase traffic
access.
Upon completion the development is expected
to change the business face of the city. Bulawayo was set to ultimately
own it once Terracotta had recouped its investment. According to the Bulawayo
City Council (BCC), opening of the mall has been further pushed back
because the contractor is not ready.
“Councillors’ opinions are divided. Some want us to cancel the deal, others want us to engage the contractor. We are yet to receive the progress report from council management and officials on the current state of work at Egodini,” said Solomon Mguni.https://constructionreviewonline.com/2019/03/zimbabwe-suspends-construction-work-of-us-60-m-egodini-mall/
