Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has revealed that the contractor of the multimillion-dollar project Egodini Mall has set August as the new deadline to complete the first phase of the project.
South African contractor, civil engineering firm Terracotta Trading (Private) Limited (TTPL), won the tender to upgrade the former Basch Street Terminus into a regional public transport hub in 2012 ahead of two other companies.
The project, which was initially expected to cost $60 million, is expected to provide shopping convenience for travellers as well as the commuting public.
TTPL started working on the project in March 2018, resulting in the relocation of vendors and public transport operators.
The first phase was expected to be completed by November 2019, and after missing the deadline, March 2020 was targeted for the completion.
However, since then, the multi-million-dollar project has failed to take-off leading to both residents and councilors demanding the termination of the deal.
Speaking during a media briefing, Tuesday, BCC Town Clerk, Christopher Dube said the contractor is expected to deliver on the first phase of the project by August.
“I am sure if some of you go to Egodini you will agree with me that there is something going on there but normally we have put caveat on talking about Egodini so that we don’t disturb the contractor,” said Town Clerk Dube.
He said the contractor has already given the local authority programs of works they are currently undertaking.
“The contractor has given us a program of works that he is going to be able to hand over the first phase of the project in August, so we don’t want to talk about that but media houses you are free to talk to Mr Siziba he can take you on-site and see for yourselves that something is going on.
“I don’t want to talk more on that because of the caveat that I have referred to, I am sure I will be able to take questions come August if the contractor doesn’t deliver the first phase,” said the Town Clerk.
