Rehabilitation works at Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC) formerly French Cultural Centre have resumed.
The contractor, Opco Limited, has returned to the site following the project’s contract approval by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA).
The new agreement has hiked cost of works to K374 million from K150 million.
A visit to the site by The Nation on Tuesday found construction workers restoring the face of one the country’s oldest and most historic entertainment venues.
Site foreman Patrick Chauma said this is their third week on the site and they have completed rehabilitating changing rooms.
Some of the works to be undertaken on the amphitheatre include plastering, shuttering, installing expansion joints and peppering cracks.
“Our plan is to complete the work by December 25. Everything is progressing well,” he said.
Department of Arts director Humphrey Mpondaminga said the first phase of the rehabilitation works will focus
on the amphitheatre while the other one such as the expansion and fencing will be handled through a different bid as advised by PPDA.
He said: “We normally request the buildings department to submit the draft bids.
“We are pushing to get the draft bids done. Once received, it will be advertised and evaluated.”
But some players in the creative industry feel the project has dragged for long.
Theatre Association of Malawi president Maxwell Chiphinga said the industry is beginning to question the political will to have the project completed.
He said: “Much as the resumption of the work is great news, we have started losing hope. We have sang the same song for so long.
It seems there is no political will to have the facility restored.”
Opco Limited was given the contract to refurbish the facility in August 2022.
In December 2023, it applied for price adjustment, citing the double devaluation of the kwacha which resulted in high construction costs.
On July 23, Vice-President Michael Usi toured the facility.
He expressed displeasure at the “snail pace” of the renovations.
His visit was followed by Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda.
