February 2012

R147 Billion NeededTo Address Student Housing Backlog

February 29, 2012 - 16:16

Cape Town – Over R147 billion invested over 15 years is needed to alleviate the massive backlog and improve conditions for student housing, revealed a report released by the Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande today.

Releasing the ministerial committee’s report on the review of the provision of student housing in Parliament, Nzimande said inadequate student housing had been a contributing factor to the country’s high university failure rate.

He said the student bed shortage stood at about 195 800 in 2010 and was expected to rise to 207 800 next year.

Compulsory Insurance Committee Gathers Data On Buildings

February 29, 2012 - 12:58

[This Day]

Members of the Implementation and Monitoring Committees for compulsory insurances at the state level have started gathering data on public buildings and buildings under construction across their respective states.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202290733.html

Nigeria: ASUU Tasks FG on Danfodio Varsity's Collapsed Bridge

February 29, 2012 - 09:48

[Daily Trust]
Sokoto -
The Federal Ministry of Works has been called upon to hasten work on the collapsed bridge to the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202290265.html

Construction of DART Infrastructure to Start Soon

February 29, 2012 - 08:09

[Daily News]

CONSTRUCTION of the Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (DART) infrastructure from Kimara Mwisho in Kinondoni District to Kivukoni in Ilala District is set to begin later this week.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202290130.html

Contractor Blamed Over Loss of Construction Materials

February 28, 2012 - 17:28

[Nairobi Star]

THE Nambale Town Council has ordered a company that has been contracted to construct a market in the town to explain the theft of more than Sh1million building materials a few weeks ago.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202281262.html

Nyansiongo Council Stops Planned Building On Police Plot

February 28, 2012 - 17:17

[Nairobi Star]

Nyansiongo Town Council has stopped the construction of three government offices on land earmarked for the construction of police headquarters.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202281217.html

SA Infrastructure Plan Hopes To Create 100,000 Jobs In Construction

February 28, 2012 - 17:09

Pretoria - Government is hoping to sustain between 50 and 100 000 jobs in the construction sector as it rolls out the country's large scale infrastructure plan announced by President Jacob Zuma during the State of the Nation Address, earlier this month.

Over the next three years, government plans to invest billions of rands in infrastructure projects that include the building of dams, construction of roads, schools and rail systems with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan last week listing 43 major projects adding up to R3.2 trillion in expenditure in the next three years.

South Africa Becoming One Of World's Favourite Events Destination

February 28, 2012 - 17:08

Johannesburg - Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk today told delegates at the Meetings Africa expo that South Africa was fast becoming one of the world's favourite destinations for big events, meetings, conferences and exhibitions.

According to Van Schalkwyk, the country has already secured over 200 international conferences over the next five years, which are estimated to attract 300 000 delegates and provide an economic boost of more than R1.6 billion.

South Africa Gears Up For Long Term Clean Energy

February 28, 2012 - 17:06

Pretoria - South Africa's plan to build nuclear plants is not a quick fix solution to the country's energy crisis but rather a step closer to cleaner energy.

Unpacking the country's plan for a diversified energy mix during government's Infrastructure Development Cluster briefing on Tuesday, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said her department had commenced with policies and strategies to bring life to the plan.

KwaZulu/Natal Embarks On Major BBBEE Implementation

February 28, 2012 - 17:04

Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal government has taken a bold step to implement broad-based black economic empowerment - at least 50 percent of all goods and services bought by all provincial departments must now be locally produced and supplied by BBBEE-compliant suppliers.

The government of KZN, through its Department of Economic Development and Tourism, signed a pledge to buy local products and make use of local services on Tuesday morning.

GFIP - Gauteng Motorists Urged To Register For e-Tolling Now

February 28, 2012 - 16:56

Johannesburg - Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi has urged Gauteng motorists to register for the e-tolling system and get their e-tags ahead of the implementation of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme (GFIP).

"Registering for e-tolling is the right thing to do. We want all motorists in the province to register for their e-tolling accounts so that they can get their e-tags," said Vadi during a post-State of the Province Address media briefing at the Gauteng Legislature on Tuesday.

Burkina Faso's Kenaf-Based Building Material Shows Promise

February 28, 2012 - 15:20

[SciDev.Net]
Ouagadougou -
Researchers from Burkina Faso and France have developed a low-cost construction material made of clay and sand mixed with fibres from the kenaf plant.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202281040.html

Lagos Earmarks N58.7 Billion for New Projects

February 28, 2012 - 15:13

[Leadership]

Determined to fast-track the development of the state, Lagos State Government has said that it has earmarked N58.7billion for the execution of 156 new projects across the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202281009.html

Kenya: Repair Roads, Say Hoteliers

February 28, 2012 - 14:31

[Nairobi Star]

The Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers now want the government to address the poor infrastructure and services at the coast to save the industry from collapse. They said the current state of poor roads, water and electricity shortages in Mombasa and its surroundings are hurting tourism.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280852.html

Demolitions to Resume in Eastleigh Over Roads

February 28, 2012 - 14:31

[Nairobi Star]

PROPERTY owners who have encroached the road reserve on Eastleigh 1st Avenue which stretches from Jogoo Road to Juja Road are set to count loses in millions when construction works commence. Most of the sky crappers in Eastleigh are said to have encroached on the road, which was advertised for proposed dual carriaging early last month. Not to be left out are car washers, street traders and major billboard owners who have been directed to also cease their operations along the 5.5km stretch.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280847.html

Contractors Explain High Cost of FCT Road Contracts

February 28, 2012 - 14:08

[This Day]

Construction companies handling various projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have attributed the high cost of road contracts in the area to irregular payments for jobs done by the government.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280802.html

Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia to Meet for Talks Over Blue Nile Dam

February 28, 2012 - 13:11

[Sudan Tribune]
Addis Ababa -
The Ministers of water from Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia will meet in Addis Ababa in March for more talks over the controversial dam project Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile, according to Sudan's official news agency (SUNA).

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280699.html

Companies Blame FG for High Roads Contract Sums

February 28, 2012 - 12:57

[Daily Trust]

Construction companies handling various road projects in the Federal Capital Territory yesterday attributed the high contract sums to the delay in the payment by the Federal Government for contracts awarded.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280670.html

SANRAL - DA e-Toll Increase Claims 'Misleading'

February 28, 2012 - 12:43

[Biz-Community]

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has dismissed the claims made by the DA on 27 February 2012 as 'misleading and incorrect'.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280600.html

Demolition Underway at Namanga Border Post

February 28, 2012 - 08:16

[Daily News]
Arusha -
MASS demolition exercise is underway on either side of Namanga border post to pave the way for construction of one border post.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280170.html

Construction of Lamu Port to Be Flagged Off This Friday

February 28, 2012 - 06:39

[Nation]

Three heads of State are expected in Lamu this Friday for a ground breaking ceremony, to mark the launch of the Sh2 trillion port project.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280087.html

Lamu Heritage Sites Spared in Port Plan

February 28, 2012 - 06:19

[Nation]

The construction of the multi-billion shilling Lamu port will not interfere with heritage sites, the government clarified on Monday.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202280067.html

Massive Transport Plans On The Cards For South Africa

February 27, 2012 - 16:57

Pretoria - A massive overhaul of South Africa's public transport system is set to be in the works in the next decade as expenditure on infrastructure is expected to double over the same period in line with the country's New Growth Path.

As this year's budget indicates, the Treasury wants the Transport Department to focus its spending over the next three years on maintaining roads, upgrading rail infrastructure, constructing municipal public transportation and subsiding public transport operations.

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Controversy Stalls Mbeere Offices Project

February 27, 2012 - 13:27

[Nairobi Star]

Construction of the Sh30million Mbeere South district headquarters at Kiritiri trading centre hasstalled over a misunderstanding over payment of the completed work. The contractor has stopped the constructionwork after his workers allegedly went on a go-slow for not being paid theirwages. The contractor is blamingthe Provincial administration for not facilitating payment from thegovernment for the work he has already done, thus causing him to be unable to payhis workers.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202271143.html

Construction of Protea Ndola Underway

February 27, 2012 - 13:25

[Times of Zambia]

Construction of the K40 billion Protea Hotel in Ndola is set to start next month.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202271110.html

Lack of TB Ward a Disaster in the Making

February 27, 2012 - 12:15

[Capital FM]
Nairobi -
The government has been urged to fast-track the construction of an isolation ward for TB patients in Kenya.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202270775.html

Village Builds High School From Tourism Activity

February 27, 2012 - 11:57

[Daily News]
Serengeti -
ROBANDA village is constructing a modern high school in Serengeti District, thanks to bedding fees earned from Robanda Tented Camp operated by Moivaro Group.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202270687.html

Work On Sh21 Billion Terminal At Port to Start Soon

February 27, 2012 - 10:47

[Nation]

Construction of the second container terminal at Mombasa port will begin soon after a ground-breaking ceremony next month.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202270358.html

Use of Substandard Materials for Road Construction Banned

February 27, 2012 - 10:15

[The Moment]

THE Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, has said the Federal Government will no longer accept the use of substandard and unapproved materials by contractors handling road projects nationwide.

Source:

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202270294.html