Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Charles Mushota says government is committed to ensuring that the country has a revised National Housing Policy that will ensure that all Zambians participate and have their fair share of the massive housing development.
Mr. Mushota said government is aware of the unfavorable factors that hinder successful housing development in the country.
He said high interest rates, limited mortgages, unaffordable building material and inadequate access to land have contributed to the housing deficit that the country is facing.
Mr. Mushota said this before handing over Two Stabilized Soil Building Machines (SSBM) to Chadiza District Farmers Union Housing initiative.
“The machines have come at an opportune time when the country is faced with the high housing deficit and majority of the citizenry are struggling to afford to construct decent houses”, he said.
Mr. Mushota said his Ministry has partnered with the University of Zambia- Technology Development and Advisory Unit (TDAU) to train artisans in the Stabilized Soil Block Building Systems which are culturally acceptable as they meet many building standards while providing compressive strength for permanent building materials in the Country.
He said the initiative will contribute to promoting sustainable building practices that promote low cost housing and reduce building impact on the environment.
And speaking Earlier, University of Zambia Vice Chancellor Luke Mumba said the University of Zambia is dedicated to the development of technological solutions which are critical to sustainable development.
Professor Mumba said the institution has a strategic role to play through development of technology and creating innovations as well as producing breakthrough solutions that are critical to poverty eradication, creation of food security and responding to climate change and wealth creation.
He said in order for the University of Zambia to foster appropriate technology development, appropriate investments must be made to encourage technology up take by end users.
Professor Mumba said apart from the brick making machine, the University of Zambia was working on designing and improving other prototype projects such as the human powered vegetable cutting machine, a portable towing bar for light vehicles and the life jacket.
