adminIn an interview, he said the project, which started in 2009, is in it final stages and should be completed by December.
Mr Matiza said the authority had so far spent more than $17 million on the project.
“The main hotel construction has been running since August 2010 and we expect it to be complete by year end. To date NSSA has expended $17 350 000 on the project and this does not include the Zimbabwean dollar component prior to 2009,” he said.
Mr Matiza said lack of skilled manpower had affected progress on the project.
“Finding qualified artisans to carry out the work has been challenging and that might have contributed to the project taking long to complete.
“At least it is now at its final stages but most artisans are not interested in working in Beitbridge because of its location,” said Mr Matiza.
He said they also once had problems with their main contractor of financing the work and they had to chip in to assist in order to ensure the work was completed.
Mr Matiza said the construction of the hotel was a long-term project, which they had started from scratch.
“The construction of the hotel is a long term project. We built everything from scratch to suit our needs,” said Mr Matiza.
He said NSSA had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with RTG to operate the hotel once it was complete.
“NSSA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Rainbow Tourism Group RTG to operate the hotel once it is completed. With their help we hope to produce the best service,” he said.
Mr Matiza said the project would create jobs once complete as professionals would be engaged to help them run the hotel.
Online Reporter