Storm-water channel stalls completion of Rundu fisheries office
Additional funds allocated
The project has encountered challenges throughout the years, and the current progress stands at 65%, ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua said.
The fisheries ministry’s infrastructure project in Rundu - worth N$16 million and which has been under construction since 2012 - is still incomplete.
The ministry now says the delay is the result of a storm-water channel, a challenge that will only be addressed in the next financial year.
This according to ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua, who said "the project was initiated to provide office space for the ministry’s staff members based in Rundu".
“The project has encountered challenges throughout the years, and the current progress stands at 65%.
“Currently, the main challenge is the construction of a storm-water channel as the office space was constructed close to a river, which results in heavy rainwater passing through the area,” she said.
Approval pending
“For the current financial year, the ministry has prioritised the construction of the storm-water channel. The design and documentation have been completed; the drawings and the bill of quantity have been submitted to the works ministry for approval.
“Once approval has been granted, a contractor will then be appointed. There is no one on site at the moment,” she said.
“The ministry anticipates to complete the construction of the storm-water channel during the 2024/2025 financial year and thereafter continue with the construction of the offices.”
Long overdue
It has been four years since Namibian Sun first reported on this incomplete structure, yet no progress has been made - apart from the grass, shrubs and trees in the area having grown tall, making it look like a forest.
Africa Civil Engineering took over the project after Executive City Construction’s contract was terminated.
The initial contractor in 2012, the company was axed for failing to carry out and complete the work as per the original scope.
Africa Civil Engineering was expected to complete the project by the end of 2018.
It was further revealed that Africa Civil Engineering was paid about N$5.8 million for work done from 7 August 2015 to 7 July 2017.
About N$643 000 was retained by the works ministry, which was to be paid once the project was completed.
The fisheries ministry has, for the past decade, rented offices and storerooms from the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA).
In 2019, officials expressed dissatisfaction with their working environment, as some plug sockets and lights did not work, while space was limited.
Once completed, the project will house an office building, ablution block, workshop, wash bay and net drying facility, fish feed store, boat and trailer storage facility, garages, a generator room and a guard house.
It will also offer installations of specialist services, equipment and associated ancillary site work.
[email protected]
The ministry now says the delay is the result of a storm-water channel, a challenge that will only be addressed in the next financial year.
This according to ministry spokesperson Uaripi Katjiukua, who said "the project was initiated to provide office space for the ministry’s staff members based in Rundu".
“The project has encountered challenges throughout the years, and the current progress stands at 65%.
“Currently, the main challenge is the construction of a storm-water channel as the office space was constructed close to a river, which results in heavy rainwater passing through the area,” she said.
Approval pending
“For the current financial year, the ministry has prioritised the construction of the storm-water channel. The design and documentation have been completed; the drawings and the bill of quantity have been submitted to the works ministry for approval.
“Once approval has been granted, a contractor will then be appointed. There is no one on site at the moment,” she said.
“The ministry anticipates to complete the construction of the storm-water channel during the 2024/2025 financial year and thereafter continue with the construction of the offices.”
Long overdue
It has been four years since Namibian Sun first reported on this incomplete structure, yet no progress has been made - apart from the grass, shrubs and trees in the area having grown tall, making it look like a forest.
Africa Civil Engineering took over the project after Executive City Construction’s contract was terminated.
The initial contractor in 2012, the company was axed for failing to carry out and complete the work as per the original scope.
Africa Civil Engineering was expected to complete the project by the end of 2018.
It was further revealed that Africa Civil Engineering was paid about N$5.8 million for work done from 7 August 2015 to 7 July 2017.
About N$643 000 was retained by the works ministry, which was to be paid once the project was completed.
The fisheries ministry has, for the past decade, rented offices and storerooms from the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA).
In 2019, officials expressed dissatisfaction with their working environment, as some plug sockets and lights did not work, while space was limited.
Once completed, the project will house an office building, ablution block, workshop, wash bay and net drying facility, fish feed store, boat and trailer storage facility, garages, a generator room and a guard house.
It will also offer installations of specialist services, equipment and associated ancillary site work.
[email protected]
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