FAUSTINE KAPAMA, 26th November 2009 @ 08:53, Total Comments: 1, Hits: 297
CONSTRUCTION costs of Bank of Tanzania (BoT) twin towers shot up from 73,600,000 US dollars to 357,675,568 US dollars after the bank changed the initial scope of work, but all the amount was spent as required.
This was said today at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in Dar es Salaam by a British, Mr Harold Herbert Webb, whose company, Webb and Uronu Partners, was contracted as Quantity Surveyor of the BoT project.
Mr Webb told Principal Resident Magistrates Edson Mkasimongwa, Lameck Mlacha and Benedict Mwingwa that his company measured amount of work done by the contractor at a certain period and suggest payments required.
He was testifying as seventh prosecution witness against former Director of Personnel and Administration of the Central Bank, Amatus Liyumba, who is charged with abuse of office and occasioning loss of 221bn/-.
Cross-examined by Advocate Onesmo Kyauke, for the accused, the witness failed to say whether there was anyone who suffered a loss during execution of the project because all amount he had recommended was used as required.
Part of the cross-examination session between Kyauke and Webb went as follows:
Kyauke: Who employed you?
Webb: The Bank of Tanzania.
Kyauke: Is it common to change scope of work during construction?
Webb: Yes, the client is at liberty to make variations according to his wishes.
Kyauke: How much did the whole project cost?
Webb: 357 million plus US dollars.
Kyauke: Was the whole amount spent in the project?
Webb: Yes.
Kyauke: If that is the case, do you think someone has suffered a loss?
Webb (after intervention by the prosecution for the witness not to answer the question): I do not know.
Kyauke: Who told you that the BoT changed the scope of work of the project?
Webb: The architect --Design and Services Company.
Kyauke: Did you ask what reasons were behind the change?
Webb: That was none of my business.
In his examination in chief, the witness told the court that before variations, the contractor was required to construct South and North Towers, conference facility, car park and external works.
Led by State Attorney Juma Ramadhani, Mr Webb testified that after changes of scope of work, the amount of work done by the contractor increased and the contractual sum shot up from 73.6 to 357 million US dollars.
He testified that both towers were constructed at 14 floors instead of 12 as per contract and one underground storey was added at the conference room. At the car park there were two more storeys and one underground storey was added.
Furthermore, the witness testified, the scope of external works also changed as roads surrounding the building -- Mirambo and Madaraka Steets -- were constructed afresh instead of being repaired.
The quantity surveyor testified that his company’s role in the project was to prepare tender documents, to procure main contractor and measure periodically the amount of work done by the contractor.
According to him, his company was also charged with the duty of making monthly recommendations to the architect on payments to the contractor and sub-contractors and later prepared final account of the whole project.
Hearing continues on January 26, next year.
Total Comments on the above stories (1)
Comment
pathertic i feel sorry for tanzanians when the money would have been put to good use.fear god and help others.kabwera
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