Work starts on City Pharmacy warehouse

By PETER ESILA
CONSTRUCTION has started on the K40 million City Pharmacy Limited warehouse in Port Moresby, according to managing director Mahesh Patel.
“The site clearing and civil works have begun while the pre-fabrication of the main structure has started off-site,” Patel said.
The old CPL warehouse went up in flames at the same site in June 2017.
“The project will be in phases. Phase One started just before Easter by AES (Avenell Engineering Services) at a cost of K25 million,” Patel said.
“This phase would take around 12 months for completion – a 10,000 square meter site housing dry goods, cool storage for pharmaceuticals and heat sensitive stocks.
“This building will also include freezer and chiller storage facilities.”
Patel said the second phase would involve the construction of three buildings to include the company’s head office, staff amenities, central bakery and centralised kitchen. “This will be finalised soon and building work will start thereafter,” he said.
“We hope to occupy the site, this time next year.”
The total project cost, including the fit-outs and equipment, will be around K40million, he said.
Patel said the company nationwide currently employed 3000 people.
The new warehouse when opened would create more jobs.
“This means more employment and new technology as well,” he said.