Contractor risks being thrown out over slow works on Masaka market

On duty. Employees go about their work on the Masaka Central Market project. PHOTO/FILE/GERTRUDE MUTYABA.

Masaka. Multiplex Ltd and Alshams Construction Company Ltd, the firms constructing Masaka Central Market, risk losing the contract over delayed works.
Work on the market, which started in February last year, was expected to be completed by July 30 next year, but so far only 33 per cent of work is complete.

Mr Geoffrey Ettedu, the Masaka project coordinator for Market and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project (MATIP-2) under the Ministry of Local Government, said the slow pace of construction may force them to cancel the contract if the contractor does not complete at least 65 per cent of the work in the next two months.

When a government delegation visited the site in February, the contractor had promised to complete the first floor by March. However, a visit to the site on Thursday revealed this has not been the case.
Mr Ettedu said contractors working on the same market projects in other municipalities such as Mbarara and Kitgum, have already completed at least 50 per cent of the work.

“The most disappointing thing is that the Masaka market project was among the first projects to start, but we are behind schedule. So, we are strongly considering terminating the contract or taking legal action,” Mr Ettedu said during a visit to the site on Thursday.
The market project is funded by the African Development Bank and Ugandan government at a tune of Shs18.4b.
Mr Moses Ndege Bbosa, the managing director of Multiplex Ltd, said a number of challenges, including inadequate manpower and bad weather are holding them back.
He, however, said in order to complete work in time, they have decided to work in shifts, with some employees working during day and others during the night.

Masaka Municipality Mayor Godfrey Kayemba said they are ready to offer all the necessary support to the contractor to enable them complete the work in the stipulated time frame.
Ms Elizabeth Nakayiza, the chairperson of the Masaka Central Market Vendors Association, urged the contractor to speed up work on the project, saying the place where vendors were temporarily relocated is in a poor condition and their merchandise always get soaked in dirty water whenever it rains.

The old Masaka Central Market structure, which was constructed in 1936, was pulled down early last year to pave way for the new market. It used to house more than 1,000 vendors.
The new market, once complete, is expected to accommodate more than 2,000 vendors. It will also have an agro-processing facility, stalls, shops, cold rooms, restaurants, a parking yard and loading and offloading areas, drainage ways, solid waste bays, firefighting facilities, among others.