The construction of Tizi-Ouzou's new stadium has come to a sudden halt, leaving the project's completion uncertain. The stoppage, which began last Sunday, is attributed to the expiration of payment credits due to the end of the contractual deadline. This development has raised concerns that the project's reception may be postponed to 2020. The stadium, which is expected to host the Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie (JSK) football team, is crucial for the local sports community.
According to informed sources, an intervention from the Minister of Youth and Sports or the Prime Minister may be necessary to resolve the situation. The minister could use their authority to grant an extension of the deadline, allowing the project to move forward. The project's main contractor, ETRHB Haddad, has been facing challenges, including the recent incarceration of its head. This has had a ripple effect on the company's various projects, including the stadium.
The Turkish company, Mappa Insaat, which is subcontracting with ETRHB Haddad, announced the halt in work. As a result, the contracts of Mappa Insaat's workers have been terminated, as ETRHB Haddad was unable to meet its financial obligations. The project's progress was at approximately 90% completion, making the sudden stoppage unexpected, especially given the planned official inauguration for this summer.
The project's history has been marked by delays and challenges. Initially, the project was entrusted to ETRHB and the Spanish group FC Construction in May 2010. However, four years after its inception, the project faced a significant slowdown due to various issues, including labor shortages. The Spanish group eventually withdrew, and the Turkish company Mapa took over.
Despite efforts to revive the project, including a state injection of 16 billion dinars, the budget has escalated to 50 billion dinars from the initial 34 billion dinars. This influx of funds helped accelerate the work but did not eliminate the recurring difficulties on the ground. The repeated setbacks have led to skepticism about the project's completion this year.
Local authorities had previously announced plans to inaugurate the stadium this summer. However, with the current halt in construction, it is uncertain whether this timeline can be met. The project's delays have been a source of frustration for the local population, who were eagerly anticipating the completion of the stadium, especially with JSK's participation in a continental competition next season.
According to reliable sources, given the complexity of the situation and the problems that have arisen, it is unlikely that the project will be completed this year. The repeated delays and challenges have raised concerns about the project's future and its potential impact on the local sports community.
Key points
- The project's completion is uncertain due to expired payment credits and the challenges faced by the main contractor, ETRHB Haddad.
- An intervention from the Minister of Youth and Sports or the Prime Minister may be necessary to resolve the situation and grant an extension of the deadline.
- The project's delays have had a significant impact on the local sports community, particularly with JSK's participation in a continental competition next season.
