The project, valued at Sh17 billion, was awarded to Excel Construction Company Limited by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities of the Government of Uganda. Its original duration was scheduled to begin on October 1, 2023, and end on October 1, 2024.
But according to quantity surveyor Stephen Male, it began formally on January 18, 2024, when a starting letter was published, and it will finish on January 18, 2025.
“If everything stays the same, we hope to finish the project by January 18, 2025, and work within the allotted time frame,” Male stated in a Thursday interview with New Vision.
Male who stated that the foundation was the primary focus of work in the first quarter and that it is currently at 7%. He expressed sorrow that the region’s heavy rains have had a major negative impact on progress.
He claimed that occasionally vehicles transporting building supplies are unable to reach the construction site due to the intense rains, necessitating a temporary halt to work until conditions improve.
Male expressed optimism that attempts will be made to make up for the lost time and that more work will be made after the rain stops. He also stated that he hopes the consultant will have submitted all of the drawings and designs by the end of the second quarter.
“The ministry’s consultant hasn’t given us the final set of drawings yet, but once we have all the designs and the rain stops, we’ll figure out how to scale up the work, which might mean hiring more people for the site,” he stated.
Modern amenities at the pier, which will be located on the Jinja side of the river and overlook Njeru, are anticipated to draw additional tourists to the area, which is already a well-known tourist destination worldwide.
Among other amenities, it will have a glass viewing bridge, water features, two decks for viewing, a surveillance room, and a rescue room.
According to Jinja city public relations officer Rajab Kito, additional features include three administration offices, an archive, stores, restrooms, toilets, and an outdoor lobby and reception. Additionally, there will be 22 craft shops, which will be distributed to merchants who will fulfill the necessary market standards.
In a previous interview, Uganda Tourism Board chairman Daudi Migereko expressed hope that bringing the site up to international standards will draw more visitors, create more jobs, and ultimately boost income.
He added that the government was planning to establish more tourist destinations across the nation and that domestic travel had become a major industry.
