FAUSTINE KAPAMA, 25th November 2009 @ 21:09, Total Comments: 1, Hits: 565
AMATUS Liyumba was a key person who closely manned construction works of the so-called twin towers of the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), a prosecution witness told the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The witness, Mr Anase Shayo (75), who is Project Administrator with Design and Services Company, produced several letters signed by Liyumba, the former Director of Personnel and Administration of the Central Bank, showing additional works effected by the BoT management.
According to Mr Shayo, the sixth prosecution witness, the letters were directed to Design and Services, an architectural firm, which was contracted by BoT to design works for extension project at the bank.
In his examination in chief, the witness told Principal Resident Magistrates Edson Mkasimongwa, Lameck Mlacha and Benedict Mwingwa that alteration of works that were made were against the projects’ contractual terms.
Led by State Attorney Prosper Mwangamila, Mr Shayo testified that several changes that were made by the management were not contained in the contract, which the BoT had signed with Group Five East (PTY) Limited.
Part of the examination in chief between the state attorney and the witness went as follows:
State Attorney: Why did the BoT decide to expand its offices?
Witness: We were told that there was an increase of workers and functions.
State Attorney: What were your proposals?
Witness: We proposed construction of two towers with 12 storeys each.
State Attorney: Where did you present your proposals?
Witness: We communicated with the director of personnel and administration of the bank.
State Attorney: What was his response?
Witness: We were told that the bank will make their decision later on the proposal for construction of the twin towers.
State Attorney: Did they do that?
Witness: They remained silent for so long until 1999 when they gave their decision.
State Attorney: Was it the same as you had proposed?
Witness: No, the Central Bank wanted to construct twin towers with 14 storeys each instead of 12.
State Attorney: What did you do then?
Witness: We prepared tender documents, which included drawings and bills of quantities.
State Attorney: What did the bills of qualities show?
Witness: They indicated a list of works that were to be done, including construction of South and North Towers, conference facility and car park.
State Attorney: What followed then?
Witness: The BoT floated the tender and after the bidding process, a South African Company called Group Five East (PTY) Limited won the tender.
State Attorney: Was the construction done as indicated in the contract?
Witness: No, there were some variations.
State Attorney: Which variations are those?
Witness: There was an increase of about three or four storeys in both towers and one underground storey. At the car park, there were two more storeys and one underground storey was added. As for the external works, roads surrounding the building were constructed afresh instead of being repaired.
State Attorney: Who presented such variations?
Witness: The Bank of Tanzania.
State Attorney: Who specifically presented such variations?
Witness: The director of personnel and administration.
State Attorney: Which means did he use?
Witness: Through letters.
State Attorney: Who signed those letters?
Witness: The Director of Personnel and Administration, Amatus Liyumba.
Cross-examined by Advocate Hilary Mkatte, Mr Shayo admitted that Liyumba was communicating with his company on behalf of BoT and not in his personal capacity.
Part of the cross-examination session between the advocate and the witness went as follows:
Advocate: Who were involved in the communication?
Witness: Design and Services Company and the BoT.
Advocate: Was it not between Liyumba and Shayo?
Witness: Yes.
Advocate: You have talked about variations here. Were they made by Liyumba?
Witness: We believed they were made by the BoT management.
Advocate: Were they personally made by Liyumba?
Witness: We received letters from the BoT. They were directives of the BoT.
The hearing continues today.
Total Comments on the above stories (1)
Comment
i doubt as to why the prosecution witness Mr Anase Shayo do not give proper answers as to whom one specifically made those variations,rather he says the BoT management.
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