Abandoned site weakens city road

Mar 22, 2009

THE collapsed foundation of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Pension Tower poses danger to road users on the busy one-way Lumumba Avenue in Nakasero, Kampala.

By Steven Candia

THE collapsed foundation of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Pension Tower poses danger to road users on the busy one-way Lumumba Avenue in Nakasero, Kampala.

The abandoned 17-metre deep excavation could force the adjacent road to warp in, the President of the Uganda Society of Architects), William Katatumba, said.

Eight people were killed and scores injured in October last year when the excavated wall of the planned 23-floor tower collapsed, prompting city authorities to halt work by Roko Construction, to pave way for investigations.

“Vibrations cause fractures and faults which with time may expand and cause the nearby road to collapse, since no retaining wall has been constructed,” Katatumba said.

Works minister John Nasasira yesterday said experts from the ministry were probing the safety of the road.

“Last week, engineers from the ministry visited the site to assess the possibility of the excavated site undermining the road. If it turns out that there is that possibility, we will close the road for some time until a retaining wall has been built. We will work together with Kampala City Council,” he said.

Initial reports said NSSF excavated beyond the original design depth of six metres before obtaining approval. At the time of the accident, the contractors had dug 17 metres deep.
“Diverting vehicles from the road would be a probable option,” Katatumba said.

A commission of inquiry blamed the tragedy on gross negligence by most of those involved in the sh147b project.

Alterations of the project design without approval, inadequate site supervision and the use of unqualified staff by Roko was responsible for the disaster, the report said.

“Roko employed unregistered persons as engineers for responsibilities that required qualified, experienced and registered engineers contrary to section 29 of the Engineers Registration Act, Chapter 271 of the Laws of Uganda,” the commission said in its report to the Ministry of Works and Transport.

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