THE slow progress in upgrading pressure reducing valves to smart pressure reducing valves (PRVs) is delaying the Bulawayo Water and Sewage Services Improvement Project (BWSSIP) funded by the government through the African Development Fund (ADF).
ADF is a fund from the African Development Bank (AfDB) which contributes to promotion of economic and social development in least developed African countries by providing concessional funding for projects and programmes, as well as technical assistance for studies and capacity-building activities.
However, latest council minutes show that the department of water and sanitation recently reported on the request for authority to complete payment for services under V0/6.
The department reported to the Environmental Management and Engineering Services Committee last month that in 2016, government received US$33,6 million financing from the ADF towards the implementation of the project.
“Part of the funding proceeds was used towards contract BWSSIP W01 mains upgrading, mains renewal and bulk and domestic meter replacement valued at US$7 452 249,48.
“The City of Bulawayo on August 23, 2018, entered into a contract with Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Ltd for the mains upgrading, mains renewal and bulk and domestic meter replacement, at a cost of US$6 276 724,11.
“The initial completion date for the works was September 17, 2020. However, the contract was extended several times, firstly to December 31, 2020 and finally June 30, 2021.
“The extensions of time were necessitated by major challenges which were faced by the contractor such as COVID-19 and additional works which resulted in the change in original contract value by US$1 175 525,37.”
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During project implementation, the minutes said, the additional works included upgrading of pressure reducing valves to PRVs.
Council said Unik Construction Engineering (Pty) Ltd then subcontracted Tydan Control Valves (Pty) Ltd to supply, deliver, install and commission 26 Smart PRVs.
“Prior to the subcontract agreement, the subcontractor conducted a city-wide assessment of the PRVs to ascertain the required scope and compatibility of existing infrastructure to the proposed Smart system,” read the minutes.
Council said it had established that some chambers outside the project area (Criterion and Magwegwe Reservoir Zones) needed to be rehabilitated or reconstructed.
The report indicated that the scope of works for rehabilitation or reconstruction of chambers outside the project area was agreed to be taken up by the council.
It further indicated that the Smart PRVs additional works were approved by the bank under Variation Order 6 at a cost of US$107 541,34.
However, council failed to construct the chambers because the contract for the rehabilitation or reconstruction project was awarded but lapsed due to non-availability of building materials.
Council said the contract under Lots 11, 12 and 13, including the materials for the chamber rehabilitation and reconstruction, was awarded.
However, the supplier could not deliver and the contract was subsequently cancelled.
“The city then managed through the WaterWorX Partnership to procure the mechanical materials required for the rehabilitation of the chambers to the value of US$63 270,83 under COB/ESD/WATERWORX/G03/2021,” read the minutes.
“As a result, the city was not able to complete the Smart PRVs component of BWSSIP W01 mains upgrading, mains renewal and bulk and domestic meter replacement project within the timelines of the BWWSIP AfDB project.”
The report said it was against this background that the City of Bulawayo was urged to contribute towards completion of the Smart PRVs project installation.
On progress update, council noted that Tydan Control Valves (Pty) Ltd (the sub-contractor) had been engaged for the project.
It indicated that, however, they had requested for full payment for all materials supplied and delivered for the Smart PRVs.
There were also indications that the procurement process for the completion of the remaining 12 chamber sites had started.
“The City of Bulawayo paid for all Smart PRV materials delivered, less the cost of installing the remaining 12 Smart PRVs ,this payment will be from the remaining total balance of US$39 634,97. The City of Bulawayo thereafter paid the remaining balance for labour costs for the installation of the Smart PRVs,” the report said.
Council resolved to adopt the Environmental Management and Engineering Services Committee’s recommendations.
