Africa-Press – South-Africa. Parliament kicks off repair work to fire-ravaged buildings with the restoration of office space for lawmakers next week following the devastating fire last year.
At the same time, the removable rubble and debris should be done during next month.
On Friday, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and her senior officials presented their plan to rebuild the gutted Parliamentary buildings.
Simon Mashigo, special project manager for the rebuilding project, told the committee that the first duty is to ensure that MPs have offices to work from.
Construction work on the MPs’ offices is expected to start on 18 May and should be completed by 13 June.
Additionally, the removal of the debris and the construction of a temporary roof. This work will start in June and should be completed within a month.
Since the fire broke out on 2 January 2022, police tape and fencing barricades have restricted access to the damaged building.
But on Friday MPs and journalists were taken on a tour in the fire-ravaged building. Damage to the Old Assembly building was severe, but parts of the building remained structurally sound.
The chamber in the Old Assembly was damaged.
The National Assembly chamber was completely gutted. Broken wood pieces, glass and metal strewn all over the floor.
The actual chamber is completely gutted. Building contractors and engineers continuously reminded MPs of the danger in the building and cautioned of the objects on the floor.
The chamber is covered in debris.
Mapisa-Nqakula said a decision was made to use money, initially meant for temporary office for MPs, to repair the gutted office.
“There was a perception that we would start with the Old Assembly. But the building was not handed over to us. These offices will be decent enough to work from. All members should have office space after the recess period. Priority is for MPs to have office space to work from,” she said.
The cost, excluding fees, will cost around R69 million.
In October, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that R2 billion had been allocated for the repair and refurbishment of Parliament over the next three years.
Parliament has partnered with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to assist with the multibillion-rand project.
With R2 billion at its disposal, the national legislature has committed to complete and present a new NA building within 24 months.
Previously, News24 reported that the severely damaged Old Assembly wing’s estimated repair cost was R300 million, while the National Assembly wing, including the completely destroyed National Assembly Chamber, would cost R1.9 billion.
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