peter
Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE completion of the rehabilitation of Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus in Gweru has exposed the lack of seriousness in the reconstruction of the US$60 million Egodini project in Bulawayo.
The construction of Egodini Mall was expected to start in 2016 but the project has made several false starts.
The refurbishment of Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus in Gweru commenced last year after local authorities were instructed to transform their transport systems.
President Mnangagwa commissioned the Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus on Monday while committing to creating smart cities in local authorities.
Kudzanayi Long Distance Bus Terminus rehabilitation was done at a cost of US$1,6 million following a partnership between Government, Gweru City Council (GCC) and a private sector organisation, Bentach Resources. It has created modern vending bays that can accommodate 800 vendors and can process more than 100 buses per day.
In sharp contrast to the development in Gweru, nothing tangible has materialised in the reconstruction of the Egodini Mall which started in 2016 in Bulawayo.
The proposed plans to redevelop Egodini into a multi-million mall and regional transport hub resulted in the displacement of vendors and transporters who were operating at Basch Street Bus Terminus.
This has caused chaos and congestion in the city centre as transporters and vendors have occupied undesignated areas while shunning regulated ones.
The project was set to start in 2016 but no tangible development has been made and set deadlines have been missed.
Terracotta Trading (Private) Limited (TTPL) director Thulani Moyo in July told a media briefing that the first phase of the project was going to be completed at the end of October.
The phase includes the construction of 1 100 informal traders’ stalls and a taxi rank accommodating 100 vehicles among other things.
But nothing significant has been made so far as no construction works have been started.
Residents have previously claimed that council was sold a dummy on the Egodini Mall Project although the contractor claimed the delays were a result of macro-economic challenges.
Vendors who spoke to Chronicle yesterday said it was high time the council ensured the project gets completed.
Mr Reuben Mafumba who operates along Lobengula Street said there is nothing being done on-site despite promises that the first phase was going to be completed by October.
“All we want is for this place to be reconstructed as soon as possible. When we were relocated, we were promised that the project would not take much time.
The completion of the construction of this project will also mean improved business for us.
“At the moment, our vending stalls are not attractive. We cannot even secure our properties properly,” said Mr Mafumba.
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) executive director Mr Michael Ndiweni said Government should consider taking over the project as the local authority was failing.
“I think Government must take over that project.
It (Government) must work around ensuring that Bulawayo City Council reverses the tender and it takes over. As long as Egodini is not completed, we will continue to have chaos in the city as we’re experiencing now.
“A sustainable solution to this crisis is to build Egodini and Government must take over the project,” said Mr Ndiweni.
He said vendors who can contribute to economic productivity deserve to operate in a decent environment but are getting a raw deal from council.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association co-ordinator Mr Emmanuel Ndlovu said council must take a leaf from Gweru City Council in implementing development projects.
He said the lack of progress in the development of Egodini Mall construction speaks volumes to the council’s failure to manage contracts.
“BCC has escaped public scrutiny mainly because it has been described as the best city in the country.
But I think it should also learn from other local authorities on how things are done, especially in the management of public/private partnership contracts.
We are keen to understand the details of the contract between Terracotta and the council. We might blame the contractor and yet we might discover that the council is the problem,” he said.
Bulawayo deputy Mayor councillor Mlandu Ncube said the project remains on course despite the delays.
“The contractor has been facing challenges and at the moment, residents need to understand that the site was handed over to the contractor.
Of late, we’ve seen some progress.
We know that we’re under pressure that Gweru has done their bus terminus.
But what people should understand is that Gweru was doing some refurbishments, but here, we’re talking about total construction of infrastructure,” said Clr Ncube.
Online Reporter