February 2010

Mozambique: Money Available to Rehabilitate Mavuzi and Chicamba Dams

February 10, 2010 - 23:04

Mozambique: Money Available to Rehabilitate Mavuzi and Chicamba Dams - The Mozambican government has received the green light to go ahead with the rehabilitation and modernizations of the Mavuzi and Chicamba hydroelectric dams, in the central province of Manica. [AA Urbanisation]

Ghana: Highways Turned into Auto-Workshops

February 10, 2010 - 23:03

Ghana: Highways Turned into Auto-Workshops - Without doubt, many people would remember one moment in their lives, when they came so close to dying, and I refer to violently dying, but God, or Allah being merciful, prevented it! [AA Urbanisation]

Uganda: CAO Asked to Explain Delay in Fencing Off Hospital Land

February 10, 2010 - 23:02

Uganda: CAO Asked to Explain Delay in Fencing Off Hospital Land - LC5 councillors asked the chief administrative officer, Geoffrey Okaka, to explain why the hospital land had not been fenced yet the funds for it were approved over a year ago. [AA Construction]

Ethiopia: Town Gets First Traffic Lights

February 9, 2010 - 18:14

Ethiopia: Town Gets First Traffic Lights - The installation of the first traffic lights for Adama (Nazareth) Town at three different locations, which cost nearly one million Birr, will be competed and delivered by February 22, 2010, Abdo Mohammed, head of the Administration and Security Office told Fortune. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Port Harcourt City- Amaechi Blasts Contractors On Slow Pace

February 9, 2010 - 18:13

Nigeria: Port Harcourt City- Amaechi Blasts Contractors On Slow Pace - Rivers State Governor Chubike Amaechi has condemned the slow pace of work at the Greater Port Harcourt City. Amaechi expressed his feelings at the site of the Justice Karibi - Whyte Specialist Hospital at Greater Port Harcourt City. [AA Construction]

Ethiopia: Insurance Company Eyes Construction Industry

February 9, 2010 - 18:12

Ethiopia: Insurance Company Eyes Construction Industry - It would seem as if Nib Insurance SC was the only insurance firm that recognised the existence of potential clients in the construction industry. It was the only company in its sector that attended the Ethio Built'10, which was the second Addis International Construction and the first Real Estate Trade Fair, jointly organised by an Ethiopian and Ecuadorian companies. [AA Construction]

Polokwane upgrades main water reservoir

February 9, 2010 - 18:08
By Nthambeleni Gabara

Pretoria - The Polokwane Municipality is upgrading its main water reservoir to keep up with the rapidly growing population.

The reservoir will increase the water supply to the city and Seshego residents.

The R54-million, 50 mega litre reservoir is being constructed at the Krugersberg Dam in addition to the two 30 mega litre reservoirs that are currently supplying water to Polokwane and Seshego.

The municipality began erecting new water pipelines into the new reservoir on Monday and work is expected to be completed by the beginning of March. Municipal spokesperson, Phuti Lekganyane, has warned residents that unexpected interruptions in water supply may occur during this period. "During the installation of new pipes, pipes that supply these reservoirs with water from the source will have to be closed. In this regard, connection pipes that feed the City of Polokwane with water from the Olifants Sand, Dap Naude and Ebenezer Dam will have to be closed so that installation of new pipes can be carried out," he said.

2010 medical centre for Limpopo

February 9, 2010 - 00:29
By Nthambeleni Gabara

Polokwane - Moves are afoot to set up a medical operation centre at Limpopo's Department of Health to assist with any incidences that might arise at the Peter Mokaba Stadium during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Departmental spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the centre at the provincial offices will be linked to the stadium whenever the matches are being played.

The centre will have a telephone line, two-way radio, television, laptop, emergency lighting system, fire extinguishers, and first-aid equipment.

The Limpopo Provincial 2010 FIFA Health Committee is pleased with moves to set up the centre as well as progress made towards the final preparations for the event.

The Committee, which met at the weekend, confirmed that Polokwane, Mankweng Hospital Complex, Lebowakgomo, Mokopane, Seshego, and Polokwane - Medi Clinic Hospital were ready for the World Cup.

Key facilities at these hospitals such as theatre operations, trauma centres and intensive care units have gone through an intensive checking process and will be ready to handle any casualty during the event.

Nigeria: 'Abuja Light Rail to Be Ready 2012 Not 2013'

February 8, 2010 - 22:44

Nigeria: 'Abuja Light Rail to Be Ready 2012 Not 2013' - The multi-billion naira Abuja light rail project would be completed and ready for use by the year 2012 not 2013, FCT Minister Senator Adamu Aliero has said. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Kaduna River to Get Another Bridge

February 8, 2010 - 22:43

Nigeria: Kaduna River to Get Another Bridge - The daily traffic congestion commuters experience in Kaduna State while trying to cross River Kaduna into the city centre would soon disappear. [AA Construction]

Rwanda: When Development is a Thin Line Between Construction and Destruction

February 8, 2010 - 22:42

Rwanda: When Development is a Thin Line Between Construction and Destruction - There is this thing called 'development' that is so perplexing. For the layman, it's seeing housing complexes and skyscrapers springing up, meticulous road networks, computerized systems and yes, increased attempts to land on Mars. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Obi Lays Foundation For More Building Projects

February 8, 2010 - 22:42

Nigeria: Obi Lays Foundation For More Building Projects - GOV. Peter Obi of Anambra State, has laid the foundation stone for more building projets at the Ekwulobia General Hospital. Obi who performed the function during his tour of Ekwulobia community said the projects were part of the reconstruction and repositioning of the hospital for accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: FMBN - Home Seekers Canvass Easier Access to Mortgage

February 8, 2010 - 22:38

Nigeria: FMBN - Home Seekers Canvass Easier Access to Mortgage - Contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF), a scheme managed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) have reacted to the recent upward review of the maximum loanable facility from N5 million to N15 million per contributor, saying the move would restore the confidence of home ownership through mortgage financing. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Noise Pollution by Religious Bodies

February 8, 2010 - 22:38

Nigeria: Noise Pollution by Religious Bodies - Following government's directives and subsequent sealing off of some religious buildings in Lagos State, over the blaring of their loudspeakers, some religious bodies still disturb residents through their activities. [AA Urbanisation]

Namibia: Homeless Outside Statistics

February 6, 2010 - 14:04

Namibia: Homeless Outside Statistics - The problem of destitute people exists in Namibia, however the severity of the problem is unknown, says Gladys Kamboo, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. [AA Urbanisation]

Zimbabwe: Industry Must Innovate to Survive - CZI

February 6, 2010 - 14:04

Zimbabwe: Industry Must Innovate to Survive - CZI - Zimbabawe's industries should be innovative in the production of goods, so that they are able to compete with not only neighbouring countries, but also globally as the era of trade liberalisation and global competitiveness has arrived, business leaders have warned. [AA Urbanisation]

Uganda: Kabale to Get First Airstrip

February 6, 2010 - 14:03

Uganda: Kabale to Get First Airstrip - THE Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved the construction of the first airstrip in Kabale district. [AA Construction]

Uganda: Tirupati Development Starts Agric Park

February 6, 2010 - 14:02

Uganda: Tirupati Development Starts Agric Park - TIRUPATI Development Uganda has earmarked $20m (about sh39.8b) for the construction of an agricultural produce market in Namanve, Kampala. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Group Honours House Builder in Abuja

February 6, 2010 - 14:01

Nigeria: Group Honours House Builder in Abuja - Founder of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI, as well as the Fuller Centre for Housing, the late Millard Fuller, was last Tuesday remembered in Abuja by a group called the Fuller Centre Nigeria. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Developers Commend Fresh Move to Crash Cement Price

February 6, 2010 - 14:00

Nigeria: Developers Commend Fresh Move to Crash Cement Price - STAKEHOLDERS in the building and construction industry have reacted to the latest move by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Humphrey Enemaku Abah to reduce price of cement in the country. [AA Construction]

South Africa: Construction Firms Resilient in Recession

February 6, 2010 - 13:59

South Africa: Construction Firms Resilient in Recession - OPTIMISM in the construction sector abounds despite falling demand for commercial and residential building and the global financial crisis, according to a global KPMG survey. [AA Construction]

Kenya: Now Pattni Plans Seven-Star Hotel

February 6, 2010 - 13:59

Kenya: Now Pattni Plans Seven-Star Hotel - After losing out in the battle for the ownership of the Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi businessman Kamlesh Pattni has now come up with an even grander project; a seven star Sh4 billion hotel complex just up the road from his former gem that was taken over by Libyans. [AA Construction]

Wits Architecture 2010 : First Year's Tour of Johannesburg

Mozambique: Nacala Airport Construction to Start in April

February 4, 2010 - 19:19

Mozambique: Nacala Airport Construction to Start in April - The construction of an international airport at Nacala, in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula is due to start in April, according to the spokesperson for the Mozambican government, Deputy Justice Minister Alberto Nkutumula. [AA Construction]

Ghana: Ho Diocese Assistant Development Completes Modern Classroom Block at Kpetoe

February 4, 2010 - 19:18

Ghana: Ho Diocese Assistant Development Completes Modern Classroom Block at Kpetoe - The Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church has stepped up its development activities in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District, as the church has successfully completed the construction of a modern classroom block for the Kpetoe Roman Catholic (RC) Primary School, at a total cost of GH¢134,432. [AA Construction]

Nigeria: Nasarawa Awards U.S.$38 Million Hotel Contracts

February 4, 2010 - 19:18

Nigeria: Nasarawa Awards U.S.$38 Million Hotel Contracts - Nasarawa State Government has awarded four major contracts at a cost of over N1.7 billion, as well as the construction of a 5-Star hotel in Lafia, the state capital at the cost of US$38 million dollars. [AA Construction]

Task team to address mortuary backlogs

February 3, 2010 - 18:22

Pretoria - The KwaZulu-Natal Health Department has established an interdepartmental task team to address the problems at some government mortuaries due to overcrowding and unclaimed bodies.

This follows media reports about the Gale Street mortuary being full and bodies being sent to other mortuaries within eThekwini.

Some people also complained about poor service due to staff shortages and unpleasant odours at some government mortuaries particularly in Gale Street, Pinetown, Phoenix and Pietermaritzburg.

Provincial MEC for Health Sibongiseni Dhlomo said the department was aware of the complaints and committed to address some of the problems within a week.

"We know that people complain about 'decomposing' bodies, however the nature of forensic work involves receiving bodies in an unpleasant state and others already in the process of decomposition, hence the complaints.

"What is of critical importance and exacerbating the situation is that our people do not inform the police early if their next of kin has disappeared or presumed dead. This means that we must keep the bodies until the whole identification process has been exhausted," said Dr Dhlomo.

R21 southbound on-ramp to be closed

February 3, 2010 - 18:21

Pretoria - Motorists are warned that the R21 southbound carriageway on-ramp at the Benoni Interchange will be closed to traffic for two months to allow for the upgrading of the ramp.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) said the closure will occur from 8 February until 6 March.

Motorists using the eastbound on the Benoni road (R23) travelling to OR Tambo airport will now have to turn left at the new southbound on-ramp loop (detour), while westbound motorists will turn right at the on-ramp loop (detour).

The upgrading of the on-ramp forms part of the development of the interchange that is being revamped under SANRAL's Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

SANRAL has apologised in advance to motorists for any inconvenience that will be caused by the construction. - BuaNews