FJT varsity works to start this year

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 10:53:18 +0000

BY OSCAR MALIPENGA

THE construction of the Fredrick Titus Jacob Chiluba University in Luapula will commence in the second quarter of 2017 and will be financed through a loan from the Chinese government, Higher Education minister Professor Nkandu Luo has revealed.

And Prof Luo told Members of Parliament that a contractor had already been identified to design and construct the FJT Chiluba University expected to be completed within a period of three years.

Prof Luo was responding to a question for answer by Chipili independent Member of Parliament Jewis Chabi who wanted to know when the construction of the FJT Chiluba University would commence.

Mr Chipili further wanted to know in which Parliamentary constituency the university would be situated, what caused the delay, the estimated cost and what was the time frame for the completion of the project.

In her response, Prof Luo explained that currently her ministry had been in discussion with the contractor regarding the start of the project in order to agree on certain mechanisms.

“It is envisaged that negotiations can be completed and construction can commence in the second quarter of 2017.

“Let me also hasten to say that I have also been briefing the minister for the province (Nickson Chilangwa) at every stage because he has also been very concerned,” she said.

Prof Luo said the FJT Chiluba Universities would located in Mansa Central constituency.

“The delay has been caused by the protracted discussions with the contractor over the cost that he presented to my ministry after designing the university as his costs where too high.

“The estimated cost as I said we did not accept because they were high so I am not in a position to say the estimated cost until this discussions is over,” he said.

Prof Luo said the original estimated period for the university to be completed was three years but that adjustments would be made.