Proprietors of the Ggaba Road buildings that are erected over the Tank-Hill to Rubaga main water pipe have offered to foot the cost of relocating the pipe elsewhere.

Geresom Musamali reports that National Water and sewerage corporation (NWSC), however, rejected the offer on Monday, saying it is too expensive and would lead to water shortages in several parts of the city as the works are undertaken.

The buildings are Kirabo Kya Maria and Payless Supermarket, located in Kabalagala. The 7.5cm pipe has burst from under the structures and is costing NWSC over sh1m per day in water leakage. The leakage has also weakened the buildings – that share a land title and a water account – and nearby roads.

Payless Supermarket landlord Tom Ssebugwawo, through lawyers Muwema and Mugerwa Advocates, said they were ready to allow NWSC access to the building for short-term repairs and to meet reasonable costs of the diversion in the long run.

NWSC publicist Miriam Kadaga yesterday insisted that the buildings must be razed, saying relocation would require NWSC to acquire the land on which to divert the pipes.