SEVERAL strategic government buildings have remained uncompleted years after their construction started with some already falling apart and accruing unnecessary bills, the Auditor-General has noted.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE
Most of the construction projects have stalled due to lack of funding, shortage of architects and poor record keeping as well as delays in disbursement of funds to contractors.
In her report on the value for money with regards to government projects, Auditor-General Mildred Chiri said a number of government-funded projects were lagging behind – a development exposing the broke government to extra cost.
Among the projects that should have long been completed include the Criminal Investigation Department head office in Harare that must have been finished by September 2001.
Chiri said the building had now attracted extra expenses amounting to $1 446 188 in plant idle time, maintenance costs and project administration fees. The Central Registry and Immigration headquarters in Harare which was also supposed to have been completed by May 2000 remains a shell 15 years on.
“The delay in completion of this project resulted in the Immigration head office which is renting office accommodation at Liquenda House paying rentals amounting to $358 800 for the period January 2009 to December 2014,” said Chiri in her report.
“The projects’ expected date of completion was revised nine times with the last expected date of completion being April 2014. However, as at December 31, 2014 the project had not been competed,” Chiri said.
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The other incomplete project is the Harare Central Hospital mortuary and chapel started in 2003 and was expected to be completed in May 2005.
“A review of the project file revealed that no progress had been made on the project since 2008. As at December 31, 2014, the building was still at the same stage (65%) as reported in 2009,” Chiri stated in her report tabled in Parliament two weeks ago.
“There were trees which had grown inside the building and had destroyed the slab hence the need for re-construction of the whole slab when works recommence. This will result in additional costs to the project.”
The Marondera Hospital Maternity ward is another project, which should have long been completed as the Auditors-General’s report indicates that it must have been done by August 1999.
Another key infrastructure which should have been completed by 2005 is the Mpilo Central Hospital mortuary and chapel.
Mutoko district registry office whose construction started in 2000 is yet to be completed.
Other projects whose construction is behind schedule include Murehwa and Hwedza district registry offices which were supposed to have been completed by 2000 among others.
