Construction works at the Aquatic Sports Complex in Lilongwe have resumed.
This comes three years after the facility hosted the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in 2022.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Macmillan Mwale, said construction works resumed last week.
“Indeed, the project has resumed. The contractor is now back on site. We want to make the facility usable,” Mwale said.
The government allocated K1 billion for the continuation of the project.
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Situated at Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Area 17, Lilongwe, the Aquatic Sports Complex resembled a deserted area for the past two years, which led to bushes growing at the edges of the swimming pool.
Last year, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority approved the continuation of the project alongside the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex, situated in Area 48 adjacent to Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Once completed, the Aquatic Sports Complex will have two state-of-the-art swimming pools, a fence and office blocks.
The projects stalled due to a lack of funds. Additionally, the scope of the work changed, which also led to a change in the contract sum.
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Meanwhile, construction works are expected to resume soon at the Griffin Saenda Complex.
“We had fruitful discussions with the contractor and works will start soon,” Mwale said.
The ministry has already released K2.5 billion for the completion of the project. The K2.5 billion is part of the K7.1 billion required to complete the facility.
The venue has been earmarked to host the Netball Africa Cup later this year. Africa Netball has already donated a wooden floor to be installed at the facility in readiness for the event.
The Griffin Saenda Complex hosted some of the Region 5 Games in 2022, but work stalled after the scope of the project was expanded to accommodate more sports disciplines such as basketball, volleyball and tennis.
