Friday, March 5, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home News National News

Govt to reassess K6bn embassy building

by Suzgo Chitete
18/10/2020
in National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Three years after experts recommended either renovation or demolition of the Malawi Embassy building in Ethiopia, government plans to reassess the poorly constructed structure.

The Malawi government built a chancery in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to the tune of about K6 billion and was inaugurated in 2010. But by 2013, the double-storey building with an impressive outlook, developed cracks due to poor workmanship.

RelatedHeadlines

Macra to introduce fees for phone numbers

Covid-19 vaccine should be available to all—Mohammed

Ombudsman SA lawyers probe report today

But the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, which in its 2007 assessment faulted the design and construction of the structure as responsible for the cracks, says it will have to carry another assessment to determine the way forward.

In a written response to our questionnaire the ministry’s spokesperson Andrew Mthiko said government plans to do another assessment because the previous one was not thorough.

ethiopia | The Nation Online
The Ethiopian Embassy building that was condemnedorder

“The DoB [Department of Building], however, noted that their assessment was not thorough enough and recommended that a comprehensive assessment be done by a local Ethiopian firm.

“The DoB developed terms of reference [ToR] to be used to identify the local Ethiopian consultant and it was expected that Malawi foreign mission in Addis would take charge of the whole procurement process with technical support from officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,” he said.

Mthiko said the ToR documents were finalised by Addis Ababa Mission in March 2020.

“And arrangements were underway at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to send a delegation

 of the consultant [but] the Covid-19 pandemic struck and stalled the procurement process,” he said.to assist the identification

But a construction engineer, who refused to be named, questioned the intention to conduct another assessment, saying it was an act of wastefulness.

The engineer, who saw the 2017 assessment report, described the report as comprehensive.

“Based on what I have read and analysed, I do not understand why DoB wants another assessment. The report is sufficient and the most plausible thing to do is to demolish the life-threatening structure now than later. Do they want people to die first for them to act?” queried the engineer.

The engineer argued against remedial works as this will not only be expensive but cannot guarantee real safety.

The engineer’s sentiments are what the report recommended. The report considered remedial work as a short-term solution which would not fully cure the problems.

It reads in part: “As short term solution, it is recommended that the embassy engages a contractor and consultant to oversee rehabilitation. However, cracks may resurface at any time since the problem is in the foundation which cannot be treated as they are concealed in ground floor. Periodic sealing off of the cracks would therefore prove costly in the long run”.

But in his second response after we sought clarification, Mthiko said though the first assessment was without fault, the second one was meant to assess the remedial works to be done on the building.

The 2017 also reported roof water leakages “as a result of a combination of poor design and peeling off of water proofing membrane”.

The report after the assessment recommended two possible solutions; demolishing the building and raising a new one or provision of remedial works – which would be periodical but expensive.

Previous Post

Anglican Communion has Sisters too

Next Post

Women group to sue govt

Related Posts

IMG 20210304 WA0019 | The Nation Online
National News

Macra to introduce fees for phone numbers

March 4, 2021
No one is safe until everyone is safe--Mohammed
National News

Covid-19 vaccine should be available to all—Mohammed

March 4, 2021
Said no lawyers were availableto do the work locally: Ansah
National News

Ombudsman SA lawyers probe report today

March 4, 2021
Next Post
Band | The Nation Online

Women group to sue govt

Opinions and Columns

In pursuit of development

The future of aid

March 4, 2021
Business Unpacked

Take time to know your pension’s worth

March 4, 2021
Rise and Shine

How do successful people think?

March 4, 2021
My Turn

Unmasking Covid-19 vaccine

March 3, 2021

Trending Stories

  • Under probe: The Reserve Bank building in Mzuzu

    Exclusive: RBM’s Mzuzu branch payment mess exposed

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Minister wants Msundwe police officers prosecuted

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Charcoal traffickers fined K800 000, vehicle forfeited

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Macra to introduce fees for phone numbers

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Malawian boxer risks life ban

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.