Friday, March 29, 2024

Govt’s explanation on NRDC saga leaves more questions unanswered

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Kampamba Mulenga (MP) at the launch of the keep Kalulushi clean campaign
Kampamba Mulenga (MP) at the launch of the keep Kalulushi clean campaign

The Centre for Trade Policy and Development says the explanation offered by Chief government Spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga over the reported sale of NRDC leaves much to be desired.

In a statement, Centre Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo said Ms. Mulenga’s explanation infact raises many questions that it gives answers.

Mr Mwaipopo said CTPD has noted with sadness the growing conversation around the proposed relocation of NRDC to Chief Shakumbila’s Chiefdom in Mumbwa District following what has been termed as an unsolicited proposal by AVIC International to build a brand new university and commercialize NRDC by building a ‘city within a city’.

He said the explanation by Ms. Mulenga on this case leaves much to be desired and raises questions that beg for answers from her statement.

The CTPD Director said some of the questions that need to be answered are that, “whose responsibility is it to repair the dilapidated infrastructure at NRDC and indeed our other educational institutions around the country?”

“What of the University of Zambia, whose current student population is more than triple its capacity? Does it mean that the solution will also be relocation and commercialization the land?”

Mr Mwaipopo said other questions are, “Since there is encroachment of NRDC land, meaning there are illegal settlers, what have the law enforcement agencies done about this illegal act on government property? Who gave AVIC the detailed information about the problems NRDC is currently facing?”

He added, “Who identified the proposed alternative 1.662.23 hectares land in Chief Shakumbila’s chiefdom that AVIC International wishes to build the new proposed new NRDC and since when did AVIC start determining what is good or bad for Zambia’s Education sector?”

Mr Mwaipopo said it is CTPD’s considered view that AVIC International is now going beyond what they have been known for, raising question marks around their business operations and establishment.
“It would not be a bad idea for authorities to try and investigate who the true beneficial owners of this company are, may be this might help the country have an appreciation,” Mr Mwaipopo suggested.

He said NRDC is a very strategic institution for Zambia adding the establishment of the college was well thought out in 1965 just as much as its location was.

“The current problems being faced by NRDC are man-made and can only be fixed by a well thought out strategy devoid of ill business motives from private sector players,” he said.

“We must add that NRDC has this far played a vital role in contributing to the improvement of the country’s agricultural sector through human resource development as well as Research and Development (R&D). We firmly believe that the college can still do so much more with the right support (institutional, infrastructural and financial).”

21 COMMENTS

  1. HH told us that PF and Edgar have sold NRDC and Chichele lodge but because it was HH saying it PF zealots has all kinds of things to say….this country is being sold acre by acre and we are just looking

    • President ECL has already said that there is no corruption in his government, can we please give the man enough rope to hang himself.

      The questions raised by everyone, myself included demand serious answers. One of the challenges with the patriotic behind government is that they have never been transparent in their dealing. They are like those people who break wind silently hoping that no one notices the foul smell. This is sh!thole politics.

      I dont know what happens when people get into this toilet called government. Maybe double H knows why he so badly wants to sit on the statehouse toilet. But that is for another time, the one who is sitting on that toilet is doing despicable and doesn’t want to listen to anyone. There activities are producing foul smells but they go on like…

    • …like everything is fine.

      Why should a private contractor tell you to move an institution to another place and even alternative locate land.

      Can a Zambian company go to the UK and propose the the land where Trinity College is situated is not optimal and even look for an alternative in the UK. That would be insane.

      But it is not insane in a sh!thole country. The fan has hit the sh!t, that why.

    • Well Lusaka’s population has increased because of urbanization over the year. Does that mean there wuill be a case for selling the City/

  2. Madam Kampamba, we humbly seek your clarity on this matter . Truly you raised more questions than you provided answers. Please unroll more details on this.

  3. Google AVIC you will find its is aviation industries of china, chinese state owned company specialising in aircraft, defence logistics with subsidiary throughout africa and other lessed developed countries. Providing infrastructure support and soft loans.
    We have a foreign governments defence arm providing work on infrastructure airports. Could we do that in another country. Did the actions of the police inspector general by appointing foreigner nationals to our police force not only contradict our constitution but also had the potential to put the presidents life at risk. Any scholars with an answer

  4. A modern Country Campus is a viable option to the existing City Campus for NRDC. The conditions that prevailed in 1965 are different from conditions prevailing at the present moment. If the new Country Campus option needs to be de-linked from AVIC, then by all means float tenders. In that way, investors can compete for business opportunities. In that case, then AVIC also must be free to submit a new tender. There is no doubt that AVIC also is a strong candidate.

  5. SELLING OFF THAT ANCIENT INSTITUTION HAS BEEN LONG OVERDUE. WE NEED MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE AND NOT HOLD ON TO OLD DILAPIDATED STRUCTURES WHICH CANNOT EVEN ACCOMMODATE THE GROWING POPULATION.

    • Ba Chisenga, what our friends do is to keep the external appearance of their ancient buildings and modernize the interior. That’s why you have millions of tourists flocking to the likes of Buckingham palace. But imwe, you want, each time a structure becomes dilapidated because of lack of maintenance ati, “Tobeni, twalakula ica new!” Mind you that land which has been encroached upon was reserved for expansion of NRDC to accommodate your “growing population!”

  6. AVIC has offered to build a modern NRDC in rural agricultural set up in Mumbwa District before razing down this old monster in the middle of residential areas,abeit shanty towns.Good idea and it should be supported as it will located in the agricultural hinterland for ease of practicals for students of agriculture. That is we are there to insure that the said new NRDC is belt ,commissioned and handed over to government. For sure the current NRDC is run down with location now not ideal for its original concept. Times have changed and we cannot cling to old derelict of building because HH wants to be there, and after all the same courses can offered by these other universities at diploma levels. Lusaka needs to have a new modern outlook going forward. Even most of structures in our towns…

    • With such thinking, Trump is justified to call Africa a sh!thole.

      Why should the best land be given to foreigners? Let AVIC go and transform some bush outside the line of rail without trading their money for NRDC.
      Africans need to look to Israel to see the importance of land. You people are so excited by the Chinese in the same way the African natives were excited by the arrival of Europeans. Look to Zimbabwe or South Africa. We keep on saying that Zambia is rich but where is the richness? It is in the soil. This is what God give us as startup capital. Are you not bothered that Galaun had half the city while millions of natives didnt even have a square meter of their own soil? And you are happy to call yourselves independent?

  7. Zambia is just a mess and corruption appears to be normal. We have repeatedly said that ECL and PF are not good for Zambia. Its just interesting to see that even educated bloggers are supporting such as corrupt-oriented idea. Surely, you want to turn NRDC into China Town – This is simply what corruption can do. AVIC will simply convert that NRDC compound into China Town and make it a no go area for the local Zambians.

    And next thing would be to encroach and displace Mutendere Compound by simply paying out the residents to move out of Mutendere. That is, after converting NRDC into China Town – AVIC will then start paying some Mutendere Dwellers say USD $10 000 each to locate elsewhere. So, while China Town will be growing, Zambians will keep on being relocated elsewhere out of the city…

  8. Chaps that were involved in shady car deals at ESCO opposed the construction of Levi Junction, now look at the beautiful structure that is standing. Chaps that fornicate in NRDC bush are opposing the relocation of the college and construction of an ultra modern facility there. Even Kamanga and Chelston Police camp must move to Palabana. Thanks

  9. The proposed construction of the institution in mumbwa is a welcome move. Consider the benefits which goes beyond corruption. Let isbmot just politicize everything, wait and see. It doesn’t matter who constructs.

  10. AVIC offers to construct a brand new campus in Mumbwa nearly twenty times the size of the current NRDC Campus at their own expense in exchange for the transformation of the current NRDC Campus a city within city entity also at their own expense – creating thousands of jobs for our youths – and you have the usual suspects here vehemently opposed to this! Just where are we headed?

  11. AVIC offers to construct a brand new campus in Mumbwa nearly twenty times the size of the current NRDC Campus at their own expense in exchange for the transformation of the current NRDC Campus into a city within city entity in Lusaka also at their own expense – creating thousands of jobs for our youths – and you have the usual suspects here vehemently opposed to this! Just where are we headed?

  12. There is nothing wrong with private public partnership. The problem in Africa is that we elect hyenas to look after our goats (assets). It does not matter which party is in government. You think ba CK or ba HH can be any better? Mukanjeba!

  13. So each time there is a failure to maintain structures (as is now the norm) you sell them on? The questions asked are legitimate. There is need for transparency (a word you cannot currently use in the same sentence as the PF government) What is AVIC’s interest? Will they just spend and spend? The issue of land is critical for any sane country. Zambians will soon wake up and find they own nothing within their borders.

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