Local accounting body in Africa’s copper producer, the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) on 24 Dec signed an agreement with the world’s largest construction company, China State Engineering Corporation for the erection of a USD 210 million 5,000 seater international convention center in Livingstone.
This construction center will be called the Shungu Namutitima, named after the mosi -o-tunya falls. Shungu Namutitima in silozi, one of Zambia’s local languages, means the ‘smoke that thunders.’
The signing was flagged by ZICA President Jason Kazilimani in the company of dignitaries to include Hapenga Kabeta (outgoing CEO), Bona Kashinga (CEO designate), Contract manager for Zambia branch Chen Bowei and Livingstone tourism association chairperson Rodney Sikumba. The entourage took time to view the area where the stone will be laid for construction purposes.
“We are fully on course for the construction of the Shungu Namutitima convention center which will comprise world class facilities with 2 hotels, one a 5 star while the other a 3 star. We have followed the due process in finding a contractor for the construction and this will be China State Construction Engineering Corporation,” Kazilimani said.
Environment impact assessment will commence soon.
“We are the biggest construction company in the world and have the ability to execute this project,” Contract Manager for CSCEC Zambia branch Chen Bowei said.
Livingstone tourism association chairperson Rodney Sikumba was elated by the development.
“The more facilities in the city of Livingstone, the more the flights and domino effects it will create,” he said.
ZICA’s investment in a convention center aligns with the states declaration of Livingstone the tourist capital as a national conference center in line with country’s efforts to boost tourism potential. The local accounting body has raised the bar by embarking on this lucrative project that will not only add to its bottom line but will boost tourism and put Livingstone on the map in the next 4 years when the project completes.
Why are we so one-track minded? Why do we have to concentrate all tourism facilities in Livingstone? How about the Northern Circuit – Kasaba, Nsumbu, Tanganyika area?
WoW
“The more facilities in the city of Livingstone, the more the flights and domino effects it will create,” he said
… as a charted accountant myself as well as a PhD holder… this is what we call a cargo cult mentality.
There is nothing wrong with constructions but what is the ultimate plan? Have we thought about this to the last layer of business thought? For such an amount of investment, you know as well as we all do that you should.
How do you in all honesty just say the more facility the more flight. This is called a cargo cult mentality and we should rethink the way we develop. It is a good idea, but I implore you to add more thought to it than telling us a simplistic conclusion of the business model.
Examples
Brazil soccer stadiums: from World Cup areanas to…
Examples
Brazil soccer stadiums: from World Cup areanas to white elephants at a cost of $500 million.
South Africa £355 million World Cup stadium: white elephant
Russia’s $3.4 Bullion construction of 9 new stadiums: white elephants
Zambia is not as rich and such a plan should go ahead only with great detail of thought and plan. It is good but the details are so light… I take it there is more detail, which is a secret!
Dr Chonya
That is right…..but all this is PF corruption, they are selling us things we do not need and borrowing hudge sums to build those things……this all PF and lungu corruption.
Look at the new airport in Lusaka, they borrowed money to cater for a 14 fold increase in customer numbers…again corruption. Some one is skimming commission ….
That is no lozi name. Its Tonga. Lozi is mosi oa tunya
Why not just call it mosi -o-tunya which means the same thing and the name is popular???? They just went for another local name ..SMH. Shungu Namutitima is mouthful and it will be a tongue twister to international guests. ..clearly they didn’t have them in mind.
Yeah if the americans start visiting that will become Namu tirima
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This is good for Zambia. ZICA’s facilities will soon house most of annual conferences for other regulatory bodies therefore reducing externalization of funds especially by foreign owned entities. We shall just be going ku falls Avani wapya Munzi brace for hard n tough times.Also this shows that we can as a nation do things other th am waiting for FDI. My subscriptions are being put to good use. Bravo
Shungu Namutitima is Toka, no?
You are right that’s Toka Leya not Silozi. In Lozi, its Musi o Tunya.
Can they revamp the Land Rover assembly plant in Livingstone? That would have been greater news. If this is funded not by Zambian Tax payers, then we are okay with it, if not we refuse it, and the foundation stone.
How old are you? Livingstone had FIAT assembly plant. Landrover?
This is much better investment than shopping malls.
I do agree with someone on this page who said why should zambia only concentrate on one corner of the nation for tourism , and ignoring other areas in the country where there is tourism potential fore instance the northern circuit kasaba bay tanganyika and many more other in the north and some other provinces .
Zambians need to be pragmatic in developing the nation rather than be slow minds who are scared of thinking wider , leaders need to stretch their their minds to spar this nation to higher degrees .
It is rather boring to keep on singing the same song for ages , find new grounds for new excitements dont tell us that zambia is only lusaka southern province.
This is not a government scheme, so the investor can build anywhere in Zambia, besides, there is still scope for more growth in Livingstone.
$210 million invested in consumerism again…why cant you accountants invest in Agriculture? Who is going to stay in all those hotels? Are they Chinks the only builders in the world?
This c onstruction center will be called the Shungu Namutitima, named after the mosi -o-tunya falls.
Ba Editor please go do night school classes and make sure there are no examination leaks!
How will this project be funded? Does ZICA intend to go into partnership with other financiers or do they intend to borrow or what?
I take it the Chinese are building this for themselves. We have a convention centre in Lusaka which no one knows how to manage. The Chinese will be running this facility for sure and Zambia will not make any revenue nor will it employ people. How much do we owe the Chinese? If we cannot pay them back, this will be there’s for the next 99 years. Politicians are so busy stealing and we have a President who travels for no reason sometimes. Fire tender scandals among other scandals could have paid for a convention centre. All money stolen by politician could have gone towards infrastructure development by greed is the number one priority by politicians.