Lungu launches housing project

Republican President Edgar Lungu has commissioned the first phase of the construction of 12,000 housing units for Police and other officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs at a total cost of US$320 million.

Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of 2, 350 housing units under phase 1 in Lusaka’s Chelston Police camp today, President Lungu notes that the housing deficit is not only a challenge for the security services, but the entire country which he his government is determined to address.

The Head of State states that government is keenly investing in the security institutions to empower personnel so that they can completely deal with security challenges now and in the future.

He says to address the challenges that have been beset the security wings for a long time, government has accordingly sought to modernize these wings not only by providing descent housing, but also investing in the training of the men and women in uniforms both at home and abroad.

The Commander in Chief of the armed Forces has also urged beneficiaries of the housing units to guard against vandalism saying they are built at a high cost.

President Lungu has also warned the contractor, Avic International, that shoddy works or delay in the project completion will not be tolerated.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila explained that under the phase one, 1, 454 houses will be built for the Police service, 677 for the Zambia Prisons service, 117 for the immigration department, and 102 for the Drug Enforcement Commission.

And Avic International Senior Vice President Gong Jiayan has assured government that the company will deliver quality housing units which will be completed on schedule.