By Jackson Mapapayi
The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has been urged to review the contract and look at the possibilities of engaging a new contractor to expedite the process of constructing 100 low cost housing units in Solwezi.
NAPSA intends to construct low cost houses on a 50 hectares piece of land in Solwezi in order to address the housing deficit in the area with an initial 100 housing units as a pilot project.
This came to light when North Western province minister Robert Lihefu in company of his deputy permanent secretary Naomi Tetamashimba inspected the site.
Mr Lihefu said there is need for the authority to quickly resolve issues with the contractor engaged to build the housing units.
He said it is sad that the contractor has abandoned the site thereby making it stall for too long.
“As provincial administration we are very much saddened with this development because the project commenced a long time ago, but nothing has been done,” said Mr Lihefu.
He said he would want to see the authority engage a different contractor that would expedite the works.
And Mr Lihefu has appealed to the authority to consider funding economical viable roads in the province like Solwezi Kipushi road.
He said the road if well worked on, will enhance trade between Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) adding that government has earmarked to work on key economical roads in the province to open up the region to international markets.
Meanwhile, NAPSA acting director for projects Mainza Banda said the aim for the 100 houses was to be a pilot for the province to help government meet the deficit of housing.
She said there are about 564 plots which have been designated for residential use at the 50 hectares piece of land adding that the authority is reviewing the entire process.
