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Theft, vandalism hit BRT Phase II project execution
Sinohydro Corporation Limited safety officer, Kichawele Mruma (left) responding to a question from The Citizen journalist, Louis Columbia during a media tour to the onging construction of BRT phase 2 at Mbagala area in Dar es Salaam recently. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- The second phase involves the construction of infrastructure, including 20.3km of exclusive lanes and Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) facilities along Kilwa Road corridor from Mbagala to the city centre and part of Kawawa Road.
Dar es Salaam. Construction of the second phase of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) infrastructure should have been completed in the first quarter of this year, but theft and vandalism have delayed the project, a safety officer said yesterday.
The second phase involves the construction of infrastructure, including 20.3km of exclusive lanes and Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) facilities along Kilwa Road corridor from Mbagala to the city centre and part of Kawawa Road.
The project corridor starts from Mbagala Area in Temeke District to the Central Business District (CBD) where it connects with phase 1 of the BRT system at the Kariakoo hub.
The project that will now be handed over in October this year, commenced implementation in May 2019.
Currently, the project executed by the Chinese contractor, Sinohydro Corporation Limited (SCL), has been executed by 98 percent.
Apart from theft and vandalism, other challenges that delayed the project are invasion of petty traders to the project area, traffic congestion and unpredictable weather which led to unexpected suspension of implementation.
Briefing journalists about the progress of the project, SCL safety officer Kichawele Mruma said over 4,000 metres of electric wires and several metres of PVC pipes have been stolen.
He said the incident's perpetrators have been vandalising steel poles used for mounting lighting equipment forcing the company to look for replacement therefore delaying the activities in the process.
“Several cases have been filed In Temeke, Magomeni and Central Police Stations. However, little progress has been made in the investigation,” he said.
Mr Mruma said the contractor has been raising awareness to the local community and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to have a broader understanding of the project and have a sense of ownership.
According to him, apart from delaying the project, the incidents have been unnecessary inflating costs of operations to the contractor.
“We have decided to hold a meeting with law enforcers to establish means of scaling up security for the project to be sustainable,” he said.
He said project costs increased from Sh167 billion to Sh287 billion due to different factors including difficulties of implementing initial designs.
However, the project manager, Mr Yuan Rui said they are carrying out final activities for the project to be handed over in October, this year.
“They include cleaning roads and drainage systems as well as installation of traffic lights. Electronic ticketing system will be implemented by the operator,” he said.
Dart's acting transport planning manager Mohamed Kuganda told The Citizen over the phone that it is the responsibility to strengthen safety and security for its project materials.
“That has been our emphasis. Theft during execution of projects is normal, contractors are supposed to minimize the incidents including use of modern technology,” he said.
He said minimal incidents were recorded during the implementation of BRT phase I, something the Chinese firm has to emulate.
