First Quantum Minerals (FQM) says it has stepped in to replace the Solwezi General Hospital’s maternity wing at an estimated cost of US$91,000 (about K1.1 million) which was damaged by a storm earlier this month
In a press statement availed to the Zambia Business Times- ZBT, the company says it has assessed the damage and has come up with a detailed plan to restore the roof, doors, electrical wiring and incubators that were damaged.
The entire roof of the hospital’s maternity wing and trusses covering an area of 768sq meters were blown off during a heavy storm on March 8, 2019.
“The company has been engaged in discussion with the government’s provincial administration since March 9 and together, we have managed to assess the damage and what needs to be done to replace the entire roof.
Bills of quantity have since been drawn up by government surveyors and the Kansanshi construction team, and the company has agreed to carry out comprehensive repair work at the hospital,” said Kansanshi Mine public relations manager Godfrey Msiska.
Msiska explained that repair works would commence as soon as the debris has been cleared by the provincial and hospital administrations.
“In order to speed up the repair works which are estimated to take about six weeks, Kansanshi Mine will deploy its construction division to do the work. The company also plans to hire local contractors in an effort to complete the works on time,” Msiska said
The Public Relations Manager adds that a written authority to proceed with the repair work has since been granted to Kansanshi Mine by the provincial administration which has also stipulated the minimum quality standards to be observed in the repair work. This is standard practice and is intended to prevent any structural failures in future.
