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New Egodini complex construction to start at the end of the year

by Staff reporter
04 Nov 2013 at 02:28hrs | Views
THE $56 million state-of-the-art shopping complex to be constructed at the Bulawayo's Basch Street Terminus, popularly known as Egodini, will accommodate vendors and transport operators, the project's spokesperson, Mr Mandla Moyo, has said.

A South African civil engineering firm, Tearracota (Pvt) Ltd was awarded the tender by the Bulawayo City Council to convert Egodini into a regional public transport hub for local, regional minibus taxis and luxury coaches passing through the city.

The project is expected to start at the end of the year, with vendors and transport operators at the terminus having been given notices to vacate the terminus to pave way for construction.

In an interview from South Africa, Mr Moyo allayed fears from vendors operating from Egodini that they would be left out, saying the plan accommodates them.

He said the shopping mall includes, among other facilities, modern informal trader stalls, transport hub, loading and offloading bays.

"The scope of our bid submission envisages 250 modern, clean and safe informal trader stalls in the retail basement section strategically positioned for maximum exposure to passenger and foot traffic and 500 modern, clean and safe informal trader stalls on the roof of the complex to create a vibrant, safe and modern flea market for retail traders.

"It also includes the redevelopment of the current site into a modern multi-use facility with a 25 000m² intermodal transport hub located at site's ground level, with fully covered and partially covered sections," said Mr Moyo.

He said the mall also includes a public transport loading and offloading facility capable of handling 20 regional and cross border buses and 75 minibus taxis, at the same time.

The project's spokesperson said the company, which was partly owned by Zimbabweans, would take between 18 and 24 months to construct the multi-purpose complex.

"This is a big project which is expected to create employment in Bulawayo and improve the lives of the people in the province," he said.

Mr Moyo said 51 percent shares in Tearracotta are owned by indigenous Zimbabweans born and bred in Bulawayo.

The company has implemented over 1 billion Rand of retail property developments in South Africa and was financially capable of constructing the massive project.

"Through its shareholders, Tearracotta has impeccable and unparalleled financial and technical credentials and a track record to make it the right partner for the city council to implement a project of this scale and significance," said Mr Moyo.

Last week, Bulawayo Mayor, Clr Martin Moyo, said the city council would organise a meeting with   vendors and transport operators to discuss where they would be relocated to when the construction at Egodini begins.

Source - chronicle