A structural engineer has said cost-benefit analysis favours demolishing the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre and investing in the construction of a new facility elsewhere.
He made the remarks yesterday after a structural assessment conducted by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
In his expert opinion, the engineer, who asked not to be named, said the stadium is “falling apart” and would require extensive and expensive interventions to restore it to a safe and acceptable standard.
He said: “The beams are settling and need underpinning, which is very expensive. Yes, it can be renovated. But when you look at the cost-benefit analysis, it may make more sense to demolish the facility and use the funds to build another stadium rather than continue spending money on a structure that is deteriorating.”
The engineer said the level of structural damage means rehabilitation would not be a simple renovation exercise but rather a major reconstruction project.
During the inspection, it was noted that most reinforcement metals in the stadium’s terraces are exposed and eroding.
Some of the stands condemned in 2012 have also deteriorated further over the years due to natural disasters such as cyclones, making restoration difficult, according to the engineer.
He said making the stadium usable again would require additional reinforcements to support the compromised beams.
However, he said the work would be difficult because of the condition and positioning of the failing A-beams.
“The failing A-beams occupy most of the space, making it difficult to construct the support structures,” he said.
Reacting to the engineer’s assessment, Football Association of Malawi club licensing and competitions manager Clement Kafwafwa said the decision on the future of the stadium rests with the owners, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture invited the engineers from Ministry of Transport and Public Works to assess the structural which was closed by FAM after failing to meet minimum requirements.
