Mombera University projected to cost K54bn

Government has estimated that construction of Mombera University in Mzimba will cost K54 billion.

President Peter Mutharika presided over the ground-breaking ceremony for the university about five years ago and indicated that government will be allocating money in the national budget for the university until it identifies a financier.

However, in the proposed 2019/20 National Budget, government has indicated that it will continue constructing the university.

“With an estimated cost of K54 billion, government is constructing Mombera University in Mzimba which will focus on animal science,” reads the budget statement.

A visit to the site last week shows that so far an access road was built and started constructing an arch at the main entrance which has also stalled for months.

When asked on the funding, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha in an interview yesterday said he was still getting feedback on the budget and could not comment on the project.

He said: “Parliament is yet to finalise deliberations on the budget and, therefore, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”

Mombera is one of the projects the Democratic Progressive Party initiated which government committed to complete to help increase space in public universities.

Youth and Society executive director Charles Kajoloweka has since called on government to fast-track the construction of the university, saying it will expand access to higher education.

He said: “Government has talked of this project for so long and there is not much to show. With what is happening, we are being reminded of the Mzuzu Youth Centre which has taken almost a decade.”