adminThe Public Works Ministry, which conducts construction work for Government ministries and departments, submitted a status report to Parliament about the hotel detailing defects on the property and what needed to be done. But it emerged that the report had fundamental gaps that would not facilitate initiation of renovation.
The acquisition of the three-star Quality International Hotel is expected to go a long way in easing accommodation challenges faced by Members of Parliament while attending sittings. A lot of money would also be saved by the fiscus in accommodation costs as it is spending a lot of money in paying for hotel bills and it currently owe providers more than US$400 000. Parliament administration has since written to the ministry alerting it of the gaps that need attention.
In an interview yesterday, Clerk of Parliament, Mr Austin Zvoma said some of the information that lacked from the status report of the Ministry of Public Works were the bill of quantities and budgetary issues detailing how much was required.
“They should produce a bill of quantities on the issues that need attention. Some of the issues include plumbing, lighting, air-conditioning, water, and pipes,” said Mr Zvoma.
Mr Zvoma said the Ministry of Public Works should address the gaps so that they submit a comprehensive report when they make bids for funding from Treasury. He said Parliament would want a hotel manager to be appointed so that he superintends over what is required. Parliament said it could not, however, appoint a hotel manager owing to financial challenges.
“Recruitment of staff for the hotel is going to be done by the hotel manager because he is the person who knows what staff is required. It can not be done by the Clerk of Parliament because he does not know how to run a hotel,” he said.
Mr Zvoma said they had a challenge with balancing competing interests for repairs for the hotel and keeping funds for the upkeep of legislators.
Online Reporter