The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
HARARE City Council (HCC) is struggling to refurbish Copacabana bus terminus using its own resources and has roped in an independent contractor instead.
In July 2022, a full council meeting resolved that a feasibility study for the project be undertaken by the city’s architectural department.
The department, however, has failed to deliver.
Minutes from a recent council business committee meeting showed that HCC has since opted to outsource the service.
Acting director of works Engineer Norman Karidza admitted that his department was not up to the task.
“The acting director of works had advised that his department was incapacitated to undertake the feasibility study with particular reference to manpower to carry out the concept design and technical assessment,” he said.
“The City Architecture Division staffing status was submitted and it was evident that the division was operating at below 40 percent.”
Acting town clerk Engineer Mabhena Moyo recommended to the city’s business committee that they outsource the feasibility study service if the mall and termini are to be completed within reasonable time.
“The acting town clerk now recommended the outsourcing of the feasibility study to allow it to be undertaken within a short time and the costs incurred would be recouped upon completion of the feasibility study given that the project was anticipated to have a high rate of return on investment from the commercial add-ons, which included the shopping mall, offices and parking,” the minutes read.
As a result of failure by the Department of Works to do the feasibility study, an expression of interest is set to be advertised soon, inviting consultants to take over the process.
