Govt reportedly strikes $30 million Public-Private Partnership deal with investor to complete UNZA hostels

The government has announced plans to enter into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with an unnamed investor who has pledged a US$30 million investment to complete the University of Zambia (UNZA) Hostels, initially intended for the 2014 All Africa Games.

Minister of Youth, Sports, and Art, Elvis Nkandu, made the announcement, emphasizing government’s commitment to addressing accommodation challenges at UNZA.

Nkandu stated that the project, which had been abandoned by the previous government, would now be completed, alleviating the ongoing housing deficit at the university.

Speaking at the handover ceremony of two motorbikes worth over K60,000 to the University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU), Nkandu explained that the hostels, which were begun in 2012, were halted due to lack of funding under the previous Patriotic Front (PF) government.

“The Ministry had an initiative to construct the hostels to house athletes for the 2014 All Africa Games, but they were abandoned,” Nkandu said.

He added that the current government is moving forward with a partnership to finish the project and ensure that students’ accommodation needs are met.

Nkandu also criticized the PF government for abandoning the hostel project and other initiatives, including the Luanshya and Kafue Youth Resource Centres, which the current government is now prioritizing.

Receiving the motorbikes, UNZASU Vice President Kelvin Ng’andu assured the Minister that the resources would be used effectively to benefit underprivileged students.

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