adminNational Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) national director Dr Godfrey Mahachi confirmed the development in a telephone interview yesterday.
“Yes, we are putting in place arrangements to have the project completed. We have been discussing with the contractor to ensure that he mobilises the equipment and that he moves to the site as soon as possible,” said Dr Mahachi.
He said the project was supposed to be completed long ago but there were delays due to resource constraints.
Dr Mahachi could not be drawn into revealing how much was needed to complete the entire project, saying the costing was done by technicians from the Ministry of Public Works.
However, Public Works Minister Gabuza Joel Gabbuza said the project needed about $400 000.
“The project was delayed by lack of funding. We are doing this project with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“As soon as the payments are made to the contractor we will start working. We have revised the costs for the project because we increased the pedestal but roughly the project needs less than $400 000,” he said.
Minister Gabbuza said about 400 bags of cement were used in laying the footing for the pedestal alone.
The Bulawayo City Council also issued a notice on Tuesday warning motorists that there would be a temporary closure of portions of roads leading to the site from 17 January to 17 March in order to facilitate the statue project.
NMMZ Bulawayo regional director Mr Darlington Munyikwa concurred that the project had received funding.
“Now that resources are available we are going to complete the project. I am sure the contractor will be bringing equipment on site soon,” he said without elaborating.
Online Reporter