TAWANDA MARWIZI
The reconstruction of Sakubva Produce Market will now move at a faster pace as key fundamental processes and procedures have been done, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has said.
ZCDC Chief Executive Officer Morris Mpofu said the tender process to select a competent contractor who shall undertake the project has been done.
The first phase is almost complete while the construction of the second phase has already commenced with the whole project expected to be complete by December this year.
“We want to urge the beneficiaries and other stakeholders in this project to exercise patience; this is a million dollar project which requires us to pay meticulous attention to detail and strict adherence to the corporate governance framework which borders around tender processes.
“Everything must be done above board without short cuts in line with the new Procurement Act that is administered by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe,” said Mpofu.
ZCDC has added up to $1 million from the $200 000 they had set aside in the first phase of the project.
Mpofu said the selected bidder will carry out fix and supply under strict supervision.
“The selected bidder will carry out fix and supply and the City of Mutare and ZCDC will tightly monitor and supervise the project so that it is completed within the set time frame and be of high quality standards. ZCDC Management and Board of directors have rolled up their sleeves to ensure that the project is completed,” he added.
He said the delay experienced in the implementation of the project has been caused by the new scope of work which now entails a complete overhaul of the new structure.
“Initially our focus was to upgrade the existing structures but we later decided to expand the scope of the project so as to accommodate more beneficiaries. This project is also in line with the thrust of the Vision 2030 enunciated by President Emmerson Mnangagwa where government seeks to transform the lives of the communities,” added Mpofu.
Commonly referred to as “Musikawehuku”, the Sakubva Produce Market is the centre of green produce, where farmers trade with Wholesalers and Retailers. The existing structure was accommodating 450 produce vendors.
Mutare Local Authority entered into a partnership with the ZCDC a few months ago in a bid to transform the market to world class standards.
