CONTRACTORS STOP WORK OVER LACK OF MATERIALS IN ZIMBABWE

Contractors stop road maintenance work in Harare city citing unavailability of bitumen and high price of stone.

Construction work at Harare City has stop due to lack of materials. The contractors has written to the  Harare City council citing the unavailability of bitumen and high price of stone.

The project was issue to Bitumen World and Tencraft under the the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP). Meanwhile, under the contract, the company will carry out maintenance on the road.

Bitumen World representative said “Due to the uncertain economic and financial conditions prevailing in the country. They said that Bitumen World was to suspend works involving bitumen and crushed stones until the situation becomes clearer.”

Tencraft said ”We are advising you that with effect from October 1, there has been a very significant increase in the cost of inputs. They also said this is due to the volatility triggered by the recent monetary policy. They also said the major increases have been seen in imported materials like bitumen products, spare parts, oils and paints.”

The companies said they will proceed on the understanding that daily prices are variable and variation in costs will be paid in the subsequent IPCs under escalation of prices.

Harare Mayor Councillor Herbert Gomba said “It’s sad that the contractors have suspended works due to the volatility in the financial market. He said they wrote to us about the problem.”

According to the Mayor, the costs of materials used in road making are increasing. This also affecting their ability to provide us with service.

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