The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Municipal Reporter
ZESA could be one of the factors that have contributed to the continued delay of the rehabilitation of Basch Street Terminus commonly known as Egodini in Bulawayo as it emerged the power utility has taken over two years to sign off plans sent to them by developers.
This emerged during a stakeholders meeting with the contractor, Terracotta Private Limited which was held at the Bulawayo City Council offices last Wednesday. A Terracotta representative, Mr Thulani Moyo revealed that two years after designs were sent to the power utility, Zesa was still to approve them which had led them to seek other alternative energy to power the project upon completion in the event the power utility continues to delay.
“We have been struggling for over two years to have our designs signed off by Zesa. As we stand we are not sure whether we are working with Zesa or not because honestly if it could take over two years for them to just approve the designs it leaves a lot to reckon with.
“Noting this continued delay we have decided to resort to solar energy. We are working with a company which has agreed to install solar panels for free then they charge rentals to tenants upon completion of the project,” said Mr Moyo.
He said they would, however, continue working with the power utility so they reach an amicable solution to the impasse.
“In our design we have put in place various positions where we propose there will be power boosters but we will continue working with Zesa and if there are any alterations we can effect them as the project continues.
“Our target now is that we go on site by 1 March so the project commences. We note that this is a big project hence we want to do it as perfect as possible which is why we will continue improving on our plans as we go forward,” said Mr Moyo.
However, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company ZETDC (Western Region) general manager, Engineer Lovemore Chinaka, who attended the meeting representing the power utility professed ignorance regarding the delayed approval of the designs.
“As you might know there is a need for us to set up a number of electricity booster stations as this would clearly be a power intensive project upon completion. We will, however, continue working with Terracotta to see to it that we reach an understanding pertaining to the designs,” said Eng Chinaka.
During the deliberations it was also revealed that the project might suffer another setback after it emerged that the local authority had not consulted Zesa regarding one of the sites which they identified to accommodate the bulk of commuter omnibuses during the period Egodini is closed.
The area — along Lobengula Street between 11th and 13th Avenue is adjacent to Zesa engineering department office and the Bulawayo Power Station.
Mr Chinaka said he was concerned that Zesa employees would now fail to access their office and it will inhibit their speed in terms of addressing faults as they would now be required to negotiate their way in and out of their offices with commuter omnibuses.
“As you might know that road houses the power station, Zesa engineering offices and faults repair workshop. Therefore besides our employees no longer having parking space, it will affect our faults repairs response time as our vehicles won’t be able to freely move in and out of the premises,” said Mr Chinaka.
However, acting deputy director in the Engineering Services Department, Engineer Wisdom Siziba, dismissed Mr Chinaka’s concerns saying this was not the first time that the local authority has designated the site as a temporary pick up and drop off point.
“While we appreciate Mr Chinaka’s concerns, it is prudent that I remind everyone that this is not the first time that we have used this as a temporary terminus.
“We previously used it, with great success if I might say, all these issues were addressed back then and will be addressed again this time around,” said Eng Siziba.
The Egodini rehabilitation project has experienced a number of false starts since Terracotta won the tender in September 2012.
It is expected to gobble close to $60 million, with the company also awarded with a 99-year lease to the terminus.
