JMC building roofing to cost sh800m

By Doreen Musingo

JINJA Municipal Council has started a roofing exercise of the building which houses its offices estimated to cost sh800m.

According to the Muhamad Saeed the municipal engineer said they are going to roof the building in phases starting with the council chambers and the hall which are in a sorry state.

Muhamad said that in phase one they have so far managed to save sh320m which they are going to use for having a pitched roof.

"Council decided to start with the chambers and council hall because they are in a bad state. Once it rains on the current roof, water flows down the walls and seats in the chambers get wet," he explained.

Muhamad while speaking to New Vision at his office on Thursday explained that they hired MBJ consultants to make designs for the roof and also draw for them the bills of quantities.

Muhamad said that once they get more funding, the works by Excel Construction Company based in Jinja will last for 12 months.

Jinja deputy town clerk Jofram Waidhuba said they started with architectural plans of the roof at sh40m from their local revenue to determine the strength of metal bars to be use.

Waidhuba said JMC was in negotiations with Madhvani Group of Companies to help them meet the costs of the project.

"Currently the Mayor Muhammad Kezaala Baswari is holding negotiations with Madhvani Group of Companies to come to our support. They conditioned us that once we save 50% for the project then they will also offer 50%," he said.

Waidhuba added that once they get more funding, the pitched roofing will be extended to other offices.

He said incase Madhvani appreciates their work, then he will also repair the tower clock at the building. The building was constructed in 1952.