Plans for the construction of the Gulu trade logistic hub are in high gear with the actual construction expected to start by July 2020, according to TradeMark Africa (TMA) officials.

Moses Sabiiti, the TMA Country Director says t they have the contracted Design and Supervision Consultant, who have already finished the final detailed designs for the site

“We are on ground and plans are going on smoothly. By June 2020, we will have tended a contractor and actual construction should start immediately after that. For now, we are searching for a transaction advisor to finalize on the mode to be used for the site construction.” he said

Mr. Sabiiti explained that TMA has already secured funds totaling $8.8m from Department for International Development (DFID), UK government, European Union and the Government of Uganda.

Moses Sabiiti, the TMA Country Director says t they have the contracted Design and Supervision Consultant, who have already finished the final detailed designs for the site.

“We are on ground and plans are going on smoothly. By June 2020, we will have tended a contractor and actual construction should start immediately after that. For now, we are searching for a transaction advisor to finalize on the mode to be used for the site construction.”he said.

Sabiiti explained that TMA has already secured funds totaling $8.8m from Department for International Development (DFID), UK government, European Union and the Government of Uganda.

This was during a field visit to the site on Thursday by TMA officials and the Danish Ambassador to Uganda, Her Excellency Masbrit Hoim Jakobsen.

The he construction of the hub was launched in 2017 by TMA with the aim to create a trade center that will facilitate trading between Uganda, South Sudan, DRC and other surrounding countries.

The proposed developments for the hub include a container yard, railway siding, warehousing complex, container freight station, container lobby, repair workshop, customs office among others.

Once it starts operations, the hub together with the Gulu-Tororo railway station will serve trade corridors of Kampala, Gulu, Elegu, Juba, Gulu-Pakwach, Lira, DRC among others

Commenting on the project, the Danish Ambassador,\u00a0 Masbrit Hoim Jakobsen asked TMA to quicken the processes so that the intended beneficiaries can start using the facility

I am impressed by this project. This will go a long way in facilitating trade in Uganda and the neighboring countries. I hope the project will be completed within the estimated time,she said.

According to Uganda Railways Engineer Brian Asiimwe, once completed, the hub will handle 240,000 containers per annum.

He added that Government of Uganda has already confirmed financial support for the railway hence the two projects will be completed at approximately the same time to be able to support each other.

Source: Chimp Reports

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.