Thursday, March 28, 2024

CBU to get new hostels and a commercial park worth $104 million

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Copperbelt University
Copperbelt University

OPTIQUEST Corporation Limited (OCL), a private company, has signed a development agreement with the Copperbelt University (CBU) for the construction of students’ hostels and a commercial park at a cost of US$104 million.

The project, which is being done under a public private partnership (PPP) agreement, also seeks to upgrade the existing infrastructure at the learning institution and develop a commercial park comprising a modern conference facility, hotel, hospital and office park.

OCL chief executive officer Pat Mwase and CBU deputy registrar Golden Kalima signed the collective agreement on Thursday which was witnessed by officials from the two parties.

In a press statement released in Kitwe yesterday, Ms Mwase said the construction of the hostels will create 4,000 bed spaces for the students at the higher learning institution.

She said the development agreement is aimed at transforming CBU into a multi-purpose development centre where people can engage in recreation as well as study.

“We are incredibly excited to undertake this project which will not only benefit the students at the university but also the community in which it operates,” Ms Mwase said.

She said the project will be executed by a team of qualified, competent and skilled staff who will use the best practices to ensure that works are completed within the stipulated time frame.

Ms Mwase also said the agreement will hold the highest industrial ethics, superior professional standards and take into consideration issues of the environment as construction works start.

And CBU chancellor Muyunda Mwanalushi expressed happiness with the project which he said will help to improve standards of learning at the institution.

And CBU vice chancellor Naison Ngoma is optimistic that the construction of the hostels will help to mitigate the accommodation crisis at the higher learning institution.

Professor Ngoma said currently, CBU only has 2,150 bed spaces which are not adequate considering the high enrollment levels.

“We are happy that you have partnered with us in improving infrastructure at our institution. Our university has not been able to grow because of lack of adequate infrastructure,” Prof Ngoma said.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Hope this will end stone throwing because tourists and the sick do not need the road being blocked by stones from students. But is $104m enough for the projects mentioned?

    • More signing and rhetoric yet the current issues are ignored. This is to muzzle the so-called intellectuals at CBU, to keep them out of the streets and allow easy flow of traffic. LMFAO!!

  2. So who will pay for this in the end although this is via PPI…we have a government eager to construct a useless Church building and importing pointless hammer mills when education should be a priority .. ..the costs here will be passed on to someone unless there will be posh private accommodation and shopping facilities on that site to create a revenue stream.
    Again Journalism has been a let down on this article.

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