The University of Zambia (UNZA) main Campus in Lusaka requires over K300 billion to successfully complete infrastructure development.
And UNZA seeks to construct a language centre next year.
This came to light in Lusaka today when UNZA Deputy Vice Chancellor Wilson Mwenya led a group of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) drawn from different companies and financial institutions on a conducted inspection of the infrastructure at the campus.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Mwenya named some of the dilapidated buildings at the institution as the library and students’ hostels which require a face lift while the ‘abandoned’ Coja project needs to be completed.
Structures at the Coja project have since been abandoned by five named contractors following Zambia’s loss to host the All Africa Games where UNZA was to provide accommodation to the visiting delegates had Zambia hosted the games.
Dr. Mwenya said infrastructure was a major challenge as there was little attention accorded in this area and called for investment at the country’s largest and highest learning institution from both Government and the private sector.
He appealed to both the Government and the private sector to consider partnering with the institution in order to make learning more enjoyable and conducive.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor however, commended Government for the funds it was receiving as well as other cooperating partners like the Japanese Government through Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Barclays Bank that have come on board.
On plans to construct a language centre, he said the facility would be financed by both the Zambian and Japanese governments though he did not disclose how much the project would cost.
In response, Education Permanent Secretary Andrew Phiri appealed to the private sector to consider partnering with Government in infrastructure development.
Mr. Phiri said Government placed infrastructure development as number one priority and noted that that the State alone could not manage because resources were inadequate.
The PS said Government was in a hurry to invest in the education sector hence its plans to upgrade the University and other tertiary institutions which were earmarked for a facelift.
He also disclosed that over 100 basic and 47 high schools were being constructed in an effort to attain the 2015 Millennium Development Goal number-two.
Earlier, Acting Education Minister Geoffrey Lungwangwa said Government through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) had invited the private sector to participate in enhancing national development.
Professor Lungwangwa said this could be achieved if the private sector as stakeholders became proactive by identifying projects to undertake like Barclays Bank had done by adopting one of the hostels at the University.
UNZA was opened in 1966 but its infrastructure is a source of concern to both various stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the K13 billion worth new students’ hostels at the campus were nearing completion.
UNZA Dean of Students Hector Chiboola disclosed that only K500 million was needed for putting final touches before the building could be commissioned before the end of this year.
The 60-space storey building being constructed by Hua Jiang, a Chinese firm would be handed over to the Government soon.
[ ZANIS ]
