adminConrad Mwanawashe Harare Bureau
THE National Social Security Authority is expecting a permanent certificate of occupation from Beitbridge municipality after submitting architectural designs and a report on the construction of its hotel in the border town.The town council’s engineers will assess the architectural designs and the report compiled by NSSA’s newly-appointed architect, Arthur Matondo, before authorisation to operate the hotel.
NSSA general manager James Matiza said the authority was already planning an official opening in July.
“We have appointed Matondo to do the final inspection of the hotel and compile a report which we have submitted to Beitbridge Town Council.
“A submission of drawing has been made and we expect the council to issue us with a permanent Certificate of Occupation any time,” said Matiza.
He said Matondo, who once worked with another architect on the hotel, was in Beitbridge last week compiling the report.
“He has some knowledge of the construction of the hotel that is why we settled for him,” said Mr Matiza.
He said NSSA had paid off Daniel Mandishona, the hotel’s architect.
An arbitrator, AP Lloyd, last month dismissed Mr Mandishona’s US$1,7 million claim against NSSA, paving way for the authority to apply for the permanent certificate of occupation.
The arbitrator awarded Mandishona US$510,000 for project supervision after he had sued the authority for underpayment.
The row delayed the issuance of a permanent certificate of occupation after Mandishona held onto the architectural drawings until he had received outstanding fees.
Mandishona argued that NSSA was underpaying him and filed a claim of US$1,7 million for architectural and management fees.
A three-month temporary certificate of occupation, which NSSA had been using, expired on Tuesday.
The 140-room Beitbridge Hotel is being leased by Rainbow Tourism Group.
Online Reporter