Crack in �most expensive� building to cost P60m

Mbongeni Mguni | Friday February 23, 2018 18:04

Masterpice: The Icon building is already governement's most expensive structure, even before completion. On the right is the area affected by structural defects PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Known as the Icon Building, the cutting-edge structure is government’s single most expensive building, eclipsing the Attorney General’s chambers which were built at a cost of US$42 million (P399.8 million).

Besides the P643 million cost, consultants for the Icon Building on Airport Road will cost government another P68 million.

This week, Mmegi learnt that on top of that expenditure, the Hub, through its parent ministry, has requested an additional P60 million in the new financial year to cater for structural defects in a key block of the structure, which also happens to be the “face” of the Hub’s Science and Technology Park.

The 23,000sqm Icon Building is the jewel in the Innovation Hub’s crown and has been described as “one of Africa’s architectural masterpieces”.

When complete, the building will house technology-oriented companies and institutions and feature an amphitheatre, advanced laboratories, an innovation experience centre and others. The affected area houses a restaurant and auditorium.

Mmegi is informed that the structural defects in the building were not only foreseeable, but avoidable as they revolved around structural engineering and factoring in the topography of the area.

The affected block is cantilevered, meaning the structure extends outwards and is supported by beams, which carry the weight.

“Construction of the Icon Building has been delayed because of structural defects that resulted in a crack on one of the blocks. Additional costs were incurred due to consultancy fees for the peer review by an independent consultant as well as extension of time claims by both the main contractor and supervision consultant,” reads a finance ministry note on the situation.

Confirming the defects and their projected costs yesterday, Tertiary Education, Research, Science & Technology minister, Alfred Madigele said an internal audit had been conducted, as well as reviews by the South African and New York engineers. The reviews recommended that the affected area be redone.

“Fixing the issue will take approximately 12 months,” he said.

“Perhaps it was an issue of not being reinforced enough to withstand gravity or stress from the topography, but the block has ended up cracking.”

Madigele said the Ministry would be scouring through its contracts with various players in the project with a view to appropriately distributing blame for the issue and activating financial recourse clauses.

“There are clauses that can be invoked and claims to be made against their insurance. However, once the distribution of blame is finalised, we will be looking to recover our monies.”

The minister stressed that despite the building’s troubles, part of it was already occupied by the Hub, Dimension Data, Microsoft Innovation Centre, amongst others.

“The affected area has been securely cordoned off,” he said.

Innovation Hub spokesperson, Tigele Mokobi said the organisation had engaged experts to “determine the cause of the structural defect,” as well as “review, assess and approve the proposed remedial solution”.

“Additionally, they will advise BIH on their contractual rights regarding the defect,” he told Mmegi in emailed responses.

The main contractor, Zhengtai Group Botswana, was unavailable for comment despite numerous messages being left for the managing director.

The Innovation Hub expects investment worth P1.2 billion into the Science and Technology Park in the next three years, yielding spin-off benefits such as ”job creation and technology readiness”.