RC orders termination of 3.8bn/- bus terminal deal

MWANZA: MWANZA Regional Commissioner, Mr Said Mtanda, has directed Kwimba District Council to begin legal procedures to terminate the contract for the 3.8bn/- Hungumalwa Main Bus Terminal after the contractor failed to commence construction months after signing the agreement.

Mr Mtanda issued the directive yesterday during an inspection visit at Hungumalwa Ward following complaints from residents over delays in implementing the project.

During the visit, he established that the contractor lacked the capacity to execute the project despite being awarded the contract in February this year.

He said that although several months had passed since the contract was signed, construction work had yet to begin, even as the contract is due to expire in February next year.

“The government has already released funds for the construction of this terminal, yet a contractor without the required capacity was awarded the project. He was asked to provide a bank guarantee but has failed to do so, indicating he is likely to create more problems in future,” Mr Mtanda revealed.

The Regional Commissioner further revealed that the contractor had failed to submit both, performance guarantee and supporting documents proving the company’s financial capability.

He cautioned contractors in Mwanza Region against engaging in malpractices that frustrate government efforts to implement development projects and improve public service delivery.

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“How was, a contractor without financial capacity, awarded this contract and how was he selected in the first place?” he queried.

Mr Mtanda said Mwanza has several competent contractors capable of undertaking the project and ensuring the bus terminal is completed on schedule for the benefit of wananchi.

“There are other contractors with the required capacity. One has even expressed readiness to begin construction immediately and receive payment later,” he stated.

He also directed the Kwimba District Council leadership to ensure all legal procedures are followed during the contract termination process in collaboration with the Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Balandya Elikana and the Office of the Attorney General.

“Once the council completes all the required procedures, the RAS should compile the relevant documents and involve the regional government lawyer to ensure every legal requirement for terminating the contract has been met,” he further directed.

According to Mr Mtanda, the move will enable the council to terminate the contract lawfully and re-advertise the tender to secure a competent contractor capable of completing the bus terminal to the required standards and within the stipulated timeframe.