adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE construction of a $56 million shopping complex at Bulawayo’s Basch Street Terminus, popularly known as Egodini, is expected to commence soon as only a date for the project’s commencement is yet to be agreed with the contractor.
The construction project, which was announced two years ago, missed its commencement dates with the city council saying it was still discussing some terms of the contract with the contracted South African civil engineering firm, Terracotta Trading (Pvt) Ltd.
The terminus is set to be developed into a state-of-the-art shopping complex and regional transit centre.
According to the latest council minutes, the contractor will start work at the site in due course.
“The director of engineering services reported on March 9, 2015 that the interdepartmental committee negotiating with Terracotta Trading (Pvt) Ltd had now reached an agreement on the terms and conditions to be included in the Lease Agreement,” reads the council minutes.
“The final draft Agreement of Lease has now been sent to the company for signature. Thereafter it would be signed by the Town Clerk on behalf of the council.”
Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gift Banda confirmed that the project would soon take off and what was left was an agreement on the commencement date.
“An agreement has been reached between the council and the contractor. This was the only reason why the project could not kick off. All we’ve to do now is to agree on the exact commencement dates of the project,” said Clr Banda.
Last year, an official from Terracotta, Ottis Tshabalala said the shopping mall, which is expected to create employment and improve the lives of the people in Bulawayo, includes among other facilities modern informal trader stalls, a transport hub, loading and offloading bays.
He said the scope of his company’s bid envisages 250 modern, clean and safe informal trader stalls in the retail basement section strategically positioned for maximum exposure to passenger and foot traffic and 500 modern informal trader stalls on the roof of the complex to create a vibrant, safe flea market for retail traders.
He said the mall also includes a public transport and off-loading facility capable of handling 20 regional and cross border buses as well as 75 minibus taxis, at the same time.
Tshabalala said the company, which is partly owned by Zimbabweans, would take between 18 and 24 months to construct the massive structure.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter