$4m Redcliff water project in limbo
THE Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund’s $4 million grant to Redcliff Municipality for the rehabilitation of water supply and sanitation systems hangs in the balance amid revelations a company that won the tender was failing to implement the project.
The African Development Bank administers the fund set aside for the reinforcement of water distribution and waste water collection systems in Redcliff. Mayor Councillor Fred Kapuya said the project was hanging in the balance as the contractor was failing to meet the end of December deadline.
“Drawcard Construction Company was awarded the tender for the million-dollar project and was supposed to involve pipe replacement of critical sections in the water distribution system including 2,3km of 250mm diameter corroded steel pipes on a supply pipeline to Torwood which can no longer deliver water replacing them with PVC pipes. The project was supposed to be completed by year end since works commenced in February. But to date nothing tangible has been done,” he said.
“We have advised ADB and they are contemplating on cancelling the tender and award it to a new contractor, but that is not very simple since money is involved.”
Cllr Kapuya said since Drawcard won the tender there has been no progress at all serve for strikes by workers week in and week out over non-payment of salaries.
“The challenge being faced is the failure by the company to pay its working employees resulting in strikes and no work. We are running out of endurance as we have already missed our December completion deadline. Hence we are to hold a meeting at the end of the week whereby a possible solution will be established,” he said.
Meanwhile, Cllr Kapuya said the upgrading of the Rutendo suburb reservoir is underway.
“The upgrading of the Rutendo suburb reservoir which involves the erection of a security fence, replacement of the old pipes is going on smoothly.
“We expect that to be completed by the end of this week. This reservoir will assist us in saving about 40 percent of the treated water which was being lost through burst sewer pipes,” he said.