Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela says there is a provision in the 2019 budget for the construction of a new state house.
Mr. Chitotela said the construction of a new state house is based on recommendation by the 2017 Parliamentarian committee on Works and supply.
He said the committee recommended that there is an urgent need for government to commence modalities to construct a new state house in view of security concerns.
Mr. Chitotela was speaking when he featured on ZNBC’s Radio 2 live program called Economic Outlook.
He also clarified that Msuzi bridge that was washed away by heavy rains in Lundazi district is being constructed at 2 point 6 million Kwacha which will also include works of a 42 kilometer bypass stretch, and not 5 million Kwacha as speculated.
The Minister said 1.6 million Kwacha is specifically for transportation and laying of the Msuzi bridge using the temporary equipment while 9 hundred and 99 thousand Kwacha will go towards works on the 42-kilometre bypass road.
He said the remaining 2 point 4 million Kwacha is meant to attend to washed away bridges in Kasenengwa.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chitotela also disclosed that the Kenneth Kaunda International airport new terminal will be opened between September and October this year.
Way to go…Been inside that former Colonialist building we call State House twice for meetings…it has visible cracks and leakages…it can remain as a museum and not a place where people report to work from everyday…its an occupational hazard…I hope this doesn’t become a partisan issue…Future Presidents will need a better facility…and besides, why cant we build our own 55 yrs after Independence?
Government has no money and most of the projects have stalled. Children in rural areas are learning under trees because government has not constructed school because it claims has no muscle to do that. Just recently Lungu and his team were in China to borrow money to construct new Mulungushi International Conf Centre and no one know if that money is even there if they have not already shared. Why can’t they renovate the same old state house? My cousin Michael Chishala conducted a research on the “state houses” around the world this is what he wrote, free advise
MY TAKE ON PROPOSED NEW STATE HOUSE
By Michael Chishala, 14th July 2017
One of the more interesting recent debates in Zambia is the question of building a new State House with some suggestions the cost will be around $20…
Cont:MY TAKE ON PROPOSED NEW STATE HOUSE
By Michael Chishala, 14th July 2017
One of the more interesting recent debates in Zambia is the question of building a new State House with some suggestions the cost will be around $20 million (under K200m). I have seen various arguments made for and against but was left dissatisfied because I felt that not enough research or analysis was done aside from the issues of costs of annual maintenance and increased space requirements.
In principle, I agree that something needs to be done because the current 8 decades old State House has been overtaken by events and is inadequate to satisfy the needs of a modern growing nation. The structure is also of course slowly decaying over time although I think that statements in the media from some people…
Last month it was 2 missile-proof private jets for Lungu at a cost of $400 million.
– Now it’s a new State House
– Next we’ll hear he wants a Limousine like American president.
Pipo voted you in power to make their lives better, NOT to make your lives better alone!
No wonder the chap wants a 3rd term & even wamuyayaya after 2021.
Thats why I stopped blogging. Union buildings was built by boer. Can ANC say lets build our own because the building was built by oppressors
State house has NO cracks. ITS a
lie. Dont mislead cadres. Take pictures of the cracks and show us.
Besides If it has cracks engineering can restore any building on earth
When New state house was leaked to public PF sata vowed it will never happen and in fact mmd ratings fail as a result.
The PF is taking advantage because there is NO opposition.
As a non partisan political consultant I say start preparing for 2026 power takeovers because PF will commit suicide
Has HH approved the plan, hope New State House is not exactly has HH’s New Kasama house.
In developed countries a building like State House would have been listed historic building meaning dont demolish or alter only replace with similar material…they have specialist contractors for such buildings. Lazy Lungu and crooks just want to run this contract to the Chink friends so they can scoop all the mark up..these are Lungu wasted years, just listen to the thief talk about cost a mere small bridge where he is including without shame irelevant things that are not listed in the works.
Who was writing this article…I mean what is “2 point 4 million Kwacha”…are you writing an article for people with learning difficulties or you are merely just trying to inflate word-count?
Stanley Chungu – you call it a ‘former colonist building’ yet you forget that the whole contract for such a security sensitive building will be single sourced to no other than AVIC a state company owned by your new colonizers the Chinks putting the future President’s security in their hands…you will be surprised to hear that those tunnels under State House were built by our own Civil Engineers supervising the works.
The current state house is just fine and in good shape contrary to the assertions by the thieving clowns, the only thing motivating the rats to create imaginary damage to the infrastructure is what is in for their greedy pockets when they carry out massive projects at a massively inflated costs, but one day? Just one day, the rats will see what cats can do.
These people have no shame ..yes one day these rats will see what cats can do but am farid by then alot of funds will be wasted imagine $1.2 billion for a motorway…they are busy procuring aircraft for $60 million when the Chinks are building a manganese smelter for a mere $15 million…this is what IDC should be doing.
These are the same things that brought down RB:-
– New State House
– Kamwendo munjila – aim-less Globe-trotting. Esther Lungu is traveling to USA to receive 4 donated fire trucks, with a delegation of 25 pipo including a cook, bedroom attendant, cleaners, a waiter, 7 staff officers etc.
– Theft through over-priced contracts using his sons
– Influx of Chinese
Even a small passing that simple requires two large reinforced concrete pipes and a tarmac with a reinforces subbase no longer than 15 metres they have to inflate the price.
Government has no money and most of the projects have stalled. Children in rural areas are learning under trees because government has not constructed school because it claims has no muscle to do that. Just recently Lungu and his team were in China to borrow money to construct new Mulungushi International Conf Centre and no one know if that money is even there if they have not already shared. Why can’t they renovate the same old state house? My cousin Michael Chishala conducted a research on the “state houses” around the world this is what he wrote, free advise
MY TAKE ON PROPOSED NEW STATE HOUSE
By Michael Chishala, 14th July 2017
One of the more interesting recent debates in Zambia is the question of building a new State House with some suggestions the cost will be around $20…
Chitotela, is new state house necessary? Why not buy medicine? Why not complete stalled clinics ,hospitals and universities so that no evacuation for specislist of selected citizens continue? Why not channel that money to improving education system and create job opportunities for the masses? Chitotela do you see paying retired pensioners some of whom have died instead of spending millions of dollars on new state house? Chitotela and the PF, are you true christians who understand the suffering of masses who are going without a meal for days? Why you lay a foundation stone for new state house, think about how God the creator looks at decision makers who open a blind eye to the poor.
Dont bring in God,infact these shameless thieves know no God.This is our business for us collectively as citizens to deal with.How do you even think of God to bring a thieving constable to book,let us just take note and wait for the people’s judgment day..
Thats what austerity measures mean in Africa. Make yourself comfortable on the expense of common man. These guys are devils with no chifundo!!!!!!!
What a disaster!!!!
Next you will want to be re-elected, my foot. Just go and enjoy your lot state house is just too comfortable for serious work.
People are dying of cholera,rotting garbage and floods ravage parts of Lusaka CBD yet you poor planners think a new StateHouse is a priority over public health?
Lusaka CDB needs new drainages + plenty of new garbage bins and kids still learn under trees in some schools .GRZ has misplaced priorities.
They wont care about that as they Indian Exim bank loan will soon be used on there..they would rather build State House and Parliament Brothel Motel.
In DRC ruling party died of natural death. Imagine 1million voters in opposition stronghold did not vote because of Ebola
Thats what will happen in Zambia because he has xtended his stay in power like kabila. People will hate him and will hate his political party
Definitely NOT going beyond 2026 and they will suffer victimisation never seen before.
You dont have to be a prophet to see the future
Am a non partisan political consultant
No my brother, with this lot you dont have to be a prophet to see their destiny.Imagine all the suffering we are going through and Constable Chitotela is dreaming of a new State House?Do these people even have an idea of the damage they have caused?
This is long over due. We must turn current State House into museum. But the occupants of new State House must make it habit to meet ordinary citizens from there: marketeer leaders, students, etc. Of what use will be new State House if one can’t even take picture outside or when only Chinese have access?
I always ask myself why they don’t allow citizens to take photos outside. A Police officer at Luangwa Bridge told me they don’t want anyone to bomb State house, Red brick, Indeni, Luangwa and Chembe bridge. Funny enough we’re to take photos at Kariba dam, Mukuka Bridge, Kafue gorge, Parliament building etc. I wonder what security officers who think like this smoke. Seriously there are Precision guided bombs.
10 Downing St was built in 1682. The British government maintains the building and it will still be there 500 years later. Same goes with queen’s residence, these places were built without indoor plumbing or electricity but they adapt to morden times, I suggest Zambians do the same.
The construction of new state house has been proposed during the MMD reign but PF opposed it that it was not necessary. The public order act was another, but when PF came to power they changed mind. There are always two sides to all perspectives. This is why we need robust, honest and mature opposition to bring out robust debate on issues of national importance.
Opposition is outnumered in Parliament PF can table anything including salary increments and its passed whether opposition approve or not.
The dull pipo from UPND think State House is being built for Lungu.
It’s not a bedroom,it’s mainly offices u dundumwezi skunks.
From an operational point of view,we need a modern building with upgraded security.
Security can easily be upgraded
State house is a national monument with sentimental value world wide. Thats how its regarded
I for one iam not dundumwezi. Am just being objective. Zambia is a poor country.
That money can build accommodation space at the university of ZAMBIA.
State house is not investment. Education is investment.
Yes 2021 you have 60% of winning but 2026 PF and your prisident wil cry WHY LORD. WHAT HAVE WE DONE WRONG.
I just feel sorry for your wives and children because this new leader will persecute you like never before in the history of ZAMBIA
No one will remove pf from power. It will be suicide case
10 Downing St was built in 1682. The British government maintains the building and it will still be there 500 years later. Same goes with queen’s residence, these places were built without indoor plumbing or electricity but they adapt to morden times, I suggest Zambians do the same.
@Mwape. I am behind you. If oval office deveped cracks they will simply restore it. They can’t build another white house
We want to hear your kind of debates and not insults. Just look at how TRUMP is suffering at hand of Dems.
After debate we need secret ballot because not everyone in PF surport new state house
Beyond Reproach – I am embarrassed that a person like you who is based abroad can justify to completely build a new State House…you show know better, State is not even old its just poorly maintained, there are Castles in Britain that are 200 years older and have been modernized to todays building standards…State House just needs to updated and expanded at half the cost by a specialists contractor at a third of the cost or half the cost with updated security features.
*….should know better….
Zambia is still struggling with children not going to school, women dying on the way to far fetched clinics, lack of bridges and roads, unemployment etc. I think a new state house should be built when Zambia is highly industrialized and most of these problems have been solved. Then automatically a new state house will be inevitable. We can’t ignore it because a good economy will be there to support it.
Let that money be channeled 2 employ mo teachers
Nkana water this issue of intermittent supply of water in Nkana East in Kitwe should come to an end. There is always neither a prior notice or an apology. There is no water now, what do you expect us to do. And by the way, though I am complaining about your erratic water supply, your water is very dirty
Iwe we are not talk ing about erratic water. Go and sink a bore hole.
it is all BS
Zampost workers were not paid for 5 months yet these foools have budgeted for this luxuary even payment of council workers was a struggle.
The decision to build a new state house is an imprudent one. National business and accommodation of head of state can continue to be at the current state house. What may need to be carried out are extensive repairs and additives to meet the requirement of extra space. Zambia at the moment can not afford to build another state house with difficulties in mobilising national resources for balance and loan repayments.
Most developed countries would not build new houses to accommodate a president or prime minister. Examples of 10 Down street where the British prime minister conducts national business has never been changed or rebuilt. The other is the American White house where the president of that country does national duties has never or been rebuilt. Even with current millionaire Donald…
They are after the prime land that it sits on …remember Lazy Lungu is a dull Chawama chap to him all that land for golf is open space ideal for flats; Sata shelved this project for a reason!!
Theodore Roosevelt’s ACT OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION was made by permitting WHITE HOUSE to be renovated and rebuild because at one time fire gutted it.
The QUEEN ‘s palace was once terrorized by Michael Fagan a classic genius and an IT expert who managed to enter into HER MAJESTY’s bedroom.He is known to be a butler for the palace till now. This act prompted the Westminster to demand renovation ,extensions and rebuilding when needs arise to do so.
Rebuilding of state House shouldn’t be an issue because it is PF who has proposed that. Without malice,state House is not in good condition. There is even bee hives and rotten timber in edges.
UPND stooges stop malice.
Iwe rodent and bees and monkeys at state house will always be there even if you built a new structure
Those example you give about resovelt what ever you call him and queen s palace does not augment your case.
That building has no structural defect. It was built for life and it is symbolic.
Pf was built on lies, roumours, misinformation, ignorance and desire for self enrichment.
Learn to be intelligent. Learn to think. Shake your head so that your brain can function normally. Do you understand the architecture involved in that structure.???
PF is a failed project and you are lucky there is no opposition but that doesn’t bother. Pf will die natural death.
I THINK WE NEED A NEW STATE HOUSE FOR OURSELVES AS A NATION. NOT THIS OLD LEAKING STRUCTURE.IT IS ALSO SMALL. THE POOR AND SHORTAGES OF DRUGS WILL FOREVER BE THERE. THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE CANNOT BUILD A NEW STATE HOUSE.
90% of PF is composed of your kind in intellectual capacity. Your need brain surgery
Most of these chaps have never been further than Nakonde ….go to Rwanda you can walk in the streets bare foot as the are clean. Sata shelved this for a reason even when we had billions in reserve…where is Lazy Lungu? According to flightradar24.com – flight 9J-ONE; Bombardier CL604 Challenger left Lusaka on 8th January but its still parked in Joburg …what is the utterly lazy man doing there he met RSA President and routine check should never take hours for a VIP. Where is this useless work shy man? Swaziland? ZWD will fill in the blanks for you
You first justified purchase of jet and you got away with it
Now you come for state house.
Is it not your SATA who said he wouldn’t allow new state house
Even challenger which LPM bought sata said when he goes into statehouse he will sell the chopper and raise money
But we saw sata was always on that chopper. Is that meaning of dont kubeba
Dont think we are all upendi when we oppose
Fi UPND cadres you behave as if Govnt shall use “YOUR MOTHER’S MONEY” to build new state house!!JUST ALLOW PF TO DEVELOP ZAMBIA-What is your damn problem?
PLUS STOP COMPARING ECL TO RB BECAUSE MMD FACED A POPULAR MICHAEL SATA UNLIKE YOUR UNVOTABLE HH!!!Surely do you think majority Zambians in 6.5 provinces would vote for a tribal creature tongabull Kainde in 2021 having failed to achieve that since 2006?DREAM ON!!!dont realise the major reason why HH seeks political alliances?IT IS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO HIDE BEHIND ACCEPTABLE PEOPLE SUCH AS GBM,KAMBWILI,CHIPIMA,BANDA,ECT!!!
Please go ahead Govnt and build a new state house!!!
If everyone treated taxpayer’s money as “our mother’s money” there would be cheaper and transparent strategically procured development infrastructure but unfortunately empty tins like you think only about eating and stealing. In developed countries they treat money like their children’s hence every cent is accounted for …but to a tin like you this will not sink in!!
Am a tax payer. Are you. Thats my money.
That gbm language. Te ndalama shanoko. Honestly ba njimbu. If Africa takes that position then we may just as well forget about this continent
Am a non partisan political consultant
This iduot called njimbu thinks pf has a factory for money, why do you want taxpayers to keep quiet when their money is abused.
Number 10 Downing Street, The White House, etc, are very old buildings. You don’t hear governments in the UK and the USA wanting to build new ones in their place.
Have we run out of ideas that we now want to spend the loans and taxes on building a State House?
This govt. has a canny way of diverting people’s attention from more serious issues every now and then. This is one of them. While you debate State House, you slowly forget all else that is on the plate and more critical, for example, the war with the mines, jobs, debt, lack of any concrete plans to improve the health and education systems and lastly, the whereabouts of ECL.