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Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
Work on the multi-million-dollar Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ)-financed Kariba Housing Development Project, which had stalled in recent months following contractual disagreements, is set to resume soon.

This follows the thrashing out of new terms between Kariba Municipality financiers, IDBZ and contractors who are expected back on site for the resumption of works.

IDBZ raised about US$14,3 million for the project, but currency distortions associated with ongoing reforms have meant renegotiation of certain aspects of the contracts.

Kariba Municipality housing and community services director Mr Godfrey Magijani said the contractors — Masimba Construction and ICP — were paid under the new agreement and were expected back on site next week.

“As it stands, all the contractors had demobilised because of the contractual issues, but they had to be engaged under this new Government thrust which says the contractors had to be compensated fair price for works done,” said Mr Magijani.

“Last week, some contractors were paid so that they can resume operations. However, what that means is that we have reduced the scope of works variously for the projects.”

Remaining on site while contractual issues were being sorted out would have been a cost to the contractors. Procedural delays in getting approval from the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) have been overcome after authority was given to the IDBZ chief executive to make adjustments without recourse.

Changes in the new agreement will see suspension of gravelling on roads in Kasese, while tarring of some roads in Baobab Ridge will be suspended.

As part of the original agreement, council was expected to provide all onsite and offsite infrastructure including roads, water and sewer reticulation, electricity, storm water drains, trunk sewer and water lines.

The project will also see the construction of a five cubic metre reservoir and expansion of sewer ponds to cater for effluent from Kasese, a 5 mega-litre reservoir in Baobab Ridge which will also supply Batonga suburb.

It also includes construction of the new Breezes filter bridge. IDBZ will recover the cost from beneficiaries of the nearly 3 000 stands.

A special purpose vehicle was established with directors from IDBZ and Kariba Municipality, making up the board to ring-fence the project from problems that may arise from the respective organisations.

The project suffered setbacks following delays in reaching an agreement with the Zimparks on where to abstract gravel.