History is about to repeat itself in the construction of the K450 billion M’Mbelwa University in Mzimba District with no serious progress made to have it in place.
The university, a brain child of former president Bingu wa Mutharika, saw the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), before and after the 2014 elections, committing to construct the facility, but it never took off.
Former president Peter Mutharika presided over the ground breaking of the project and his government assured of funding its construction, but the project stalled in 2018 after only the access roads were constructed.
Then the Tonse Alliance government allocated K5 billion in the 2023/2024 National Budget for the project to start and identified contractors, DEC Construction Company and Paramount Holdings Limited.
The site was handed over to contractors and preparatory works started on January 2, 2024.
However, six months down the line, work is yet to start on the first phase of the project earmarked for completion by June 2025 to allow first enrolment in August 2025.
The first phase, estimated to cost K190 billion covers the School of Basic Sciences plus its ancillary structures such as administration block, hostels, staff houses, cafeteria, auditorium, multipurpose hall, sports facilities, clinic, commercial complex and waste management system.
In an interview yesterday, DEC Construction Company project manager Ellard Malonda said they are waiting for government to give direction on the way forward.
“We cleared and levelled the ground but we are waiting for government to provide direction on the way forward,” he said.
Asked when the government is expected to give direction, Malonda said we should ask the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
When contacted, Ministry of Transport and Public Works spokesperson Watson Maingo asked for more time to consult on the matter.
The ministry’s director of buildings Sam Ngoma did not pick up his phone when called for comment.
In a separate interview, Ministry of Education spokesperson Mphatso Nkuonera said the ministry is hopeful that the project will materialise.
However, he said he needed to consult on why the project has stalled and if funds are available for completion of the first phase in June 2025.
Office of the President and Cabinet spokesperson Robert Kalindiza also asked for more time to consult on the matter.
However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said government has been in talks with the Chinese Government to fund and construct the project. If that materialises, it would mean government terminating existing contracts.
Another source said there are disagreements within the government system regarding the project.
During the DPP regime, the project was awarded to a Chinese contractor, who only erected a pillar at the main entrance gate.
The university is expected to be fully completed by 2027. At full capacity, it will accommodate10 000 students.
M’Mbelwa University is designed to have a School of Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, School of Basic Sciences, and a School of Human Health Sciences.
It will also have a hi-tech Livestock Industrial Centre which will be a fully equipped facility that will produce animals, animal products and by-products for both local and internal markets.
Its ancillary facilities will include administration building, learning resources centre, students’ hostels, staff houses, auditorium, cafeteria, commercial complex, multipurpose hall, university clinic and sports complex.
