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Richmond weighbridge nears completion despite fire setback
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The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has confirmed that the Richmond Sanitary weighbridge is now 97% complete, following delays that saw it miss the original June 20, 2025, completion date.
The weighbridge is a key upgrade for Bulawayo's waste management system, expected to improve the accuracy and reliability of solid waste data, streamline operations, and support evidence-based decision-making in the city's sanitation services.
According to the latest council minutes, the works department reported on November 13 that the City of Bulawayo is implementing a project for the supply, installation, and commissioning of the weighbridge at Richmond Sanitary. The contract was awarded to Flexible Measurement and Control Systems (Pvt) Ltd under Contract Number COB/CH01/2017.
"The contract was previously suspended in 2018 and had resumed under a revised scope and contract value to ensure alignment with updated technical and operational requirements," the minutes read.
The contract's revised commencement date was April 16, 2025, with an expected completion date of June 20, 2025, at a total cost of US$64 392.04. The breakdown includes an upgraded solar power system (US$30 419.34), hardware and software upgrades (US$10 439.78), burglar bar supply and installation (US$3 567.13), weighbridge re-sizing (US$5 801.69), control room remedial works (US$5 777.93), and other remedial works (US$8 386.17). To date, US$58 590.35 has been spent on completed works, including the solar system, hardware and software upgrades, burglar bar installation, and control room remedial works.
Council noted that despite significant progress, the project faced setbacks, including a fire incident at the weighbridge facility during the reporting period. "The fire caused extensive structural damage to the weighbridge. This was reported to the procurement management unit on 27 March 2025," the minutes read. A review meeting to assess the damage, evaluate contractual implications, and define steps to restore weighbridge functionality was pending.
To address the incident, council indicated that structural reassessment and possible reinstallation of affected components were required. Additionally, fire protection measures around the weighbridge area are being reviewed and strengthened to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
"The project is 97% complete, progressing despite past and recent challenges. Timely strategic decisions following the fire were crucial to final delivery," the minutes stated, urging stakeholders to expedite reviews to avoid further delays.
Once completed, the Richmond Sanitary weighbridge is expected to significantly enhance Bulawayo's waste management operations and data-driven decision-making.
The weighbridge is a key upgrade for Bulawayo's waste management system, expected to improve the accuracy and reliability of solid waste data, streamline operations, and support evidence-based decision-making in the city's sanitation services.
According to the latest council minutes, the works department reported on November 13 that the City of Bulawayo is implementing a project for the supply, installation, and commissioning of the weighbridge at Richmond Sanitary. The contract was awarded to Flexible Measurement and Control Systems (Pvt) Ltd under Contract Number COB/CH01/2017.
"The contract was previously suspended in 2018 and had resumed under a revised scope and contract value to ensure alignment with updated technical and operational requirements," the minutes read.
The contract's revised commencement date was April 16, 2025, with an expected completion date of June 20, 2025, at a total cost of US$64 392.04. The breakdown includes an upgraded solar power system (US$30 419.34), hardware and software upgrades (US$10 439.78), burglar bar supply and installation (US$3 567.13), weighbridge re-sizing (US$5 801.69), control room remedial works (US$5 777.93), and other remedial works (US$8 386.17). To date, US$58 590.35 has been spent on completed works, including the solar system, hardware and software upgrades, burglar bar installation, and control room remedial works.
Council noted that despite significant progress, the project faced setbacks, including a fire incident at the weighbridge facility during the reporting period. "The fire caused extensive structural damage to the weighbridge. This was reported to the procurement management unit on 27 March 2025," the minutes read. A review meeting to assess the damage, evaluate contractual implications, and define steps to restore weighbridge functionality was pending.
To address the incident, council indicated that structural reassessment and possible reinstallation of affected components were required. Additionally, fire protection measures around the weighbridge area are being reviewed and strengthened to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
"The project is 97% complete, progressing despite past and recent challenges. Timely strategic decisions following the fire were crucial to final delivery," the minutes stated, urging stakeholders to expedite reviews to avoid further delays.
Once completed, the Richmond Sanitary weighbridge is expected to significantly enhance Bulawayo's waste management operations and data-driven decision-making.
Source - Southern Eye
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