The Copperbelt University says K50 million is required for the stalled hostels construction works to resume.
Copperbelt University Directorate of Planning, Property and Services, Bernard Mabo says the stalled project four years ago is currently on care and maintenance due to lack of funds to pay the contractors for the works to resume.
Speaking in an interview in Kitwe, Mr Mabo said once completed, the hostel blocks at about 55 per cent works stage will be able to create over five thousand bed spaces which will help curb the current slightly over seven thousand bed space deficit at the institution.
The total project cost for both Riverside Campus and the Ndola medical School campus stands at K400 million.
He, however, stated that the Ministry of Higher Education recently sent some auditors to conduct an audit on the works done so that it could pay the needed amount for the works to resume.
And Mr Mabo has disclosed that the Ministry is still trying its level best to source funds from other partners to ensure that the contractors are paid the outstanding balance for the works done so far.
“The University is still looking for private partners who can invest in construction of student hostels under a private- partnership arrangement, “he disclosed.
Mr Mabo explained that the institution is currently in talks with other investors willing to venture into this partnership.
He appealed to other investors to partner with the Copperbelt University to construct the hostels, an investment he described as lucrative as student accommodation remains on high demand.
In 2015, the Copperbelt University embarked on a project to construct hostel blocks at Copperbelt University Main Campus in Kitwe and at the Ndola Medical School in a bid to cushion the students’ bed space deficit.
However, the project has stalled due to lack of funding from the Ministry of Higher Education.
I don’t think so if that money will pumped in very soon, Changwa Lungu will use it for medical check-up in India. He’s also scared to kick the bucket which everyone’s last stroll.
The new minster of higher education will sort out that small problem
Wait wait…so Rupiah got a new house built for him at an exorbitant cost in addition to the ones he built by himself and yet thousands of students have no place to sleep? There should be a lot of misplaced priorities there. Ba minister kamani fumyeni indalama twila angasha isukulu, studying in comfort raises IQ. But Ka Mushima kala solver, the only smart minister I know.
I wonder why they keep on commissioning new projects without finishing old ones.