COSASE queries Entebbe passenger terminal modification contract

ENEBBE, KAMPALA: There was no due diligence before the government contracted Seyani Brothers to modify the passenger terminal building at Entebbe International Airport.

This is part of the findings by the committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises-COSASE, which is scheduled to debate before parliament.

This came up as COSASE was assessing and evaluating the operations of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA). Now in their report, the COSASE chairperson Joel Ssenyonyi notes that Seyani Brothers did not submit a qualified surveyor for the project as required in the standard bidding document.

He also says that there was no evidence that a qualified surveyor was used in the project implementation as well as the required staff and equipment. The modification of the passenger terminal building is one of the projects that UCAA is undertaking under the National Civil Aviation Master Plan that was launched in 2015.

The first phase involved the construction of the 4-level structure, external finishes of the structure, raised access road, and the internal finishes of the departures floor. According to Ssenyonyi reports, the works were completed in December 2020 with a defect liability period ending in December 2021.

“Currently, part of the departure area has been opened for use by passengers and airport stakeholders. In terms of financial performance, the contractor had been paid all the certificates, including the 5O% of retention. The 50% remaining retention would be paid when due (after the defects liability period). Construction works supervising consultant, Messrs Ssentoogo and Partners, Architects and Planning Consultants were appointed to facilitate implementation of the construction works,” said Ssenyonyi

He further reported that a review of the designs with airport stakeholders and documentation for the project was carried out. He recommended that instead of two separate buildings, one building should be constructed combining departures and arrivals in line with the existing terminal building.

Ssenyonyi said that this would effectively and efficiently address the issues of congestion, facilitation and security. He also told parliament that the re-scoped project or new design would increase the cost by Shillings 6.4 billion from Shillings 42.69 billion.

Separation of Domestic and International Terminals   

The Nakawa West MP recounted that while approving the loan, Parliament recommended that separate terminals be built for international and domestic traffic, according to the UCAA Master Plan. He however said that this was ignored during the project implementation leading to the construction of one building combining domestic and international terminals.

“UCAA should ensure that for future projects, all stakeholders are consulted, and comprehensive needs assessment undertaken at planning and tendering stage to avoid variations,” Ssenyonyi recommended.

Regarding rental arrears by different government entities at Entebbe, COSASE recommends that UCAA should come up with a policy to guide its business with government entities and draw up a recovery plan for the debts.

According to Ssenyonyi, different government entities were in rental arrears worth Shillings 102.4 billion, adding that the arrears date back to 2006. The debtors include the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Air Cargo, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Metrological Authority and others.