Public private partnerships in education sector crucial’
Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje has admitted that corruption and lack of readily available public financing is partly affecting implementation of infrastructure projects in the education sector.
She said this on Wednesday in Lilongwe during the unveiling of K2.6 billion modern accommodation hostels that Old Mutual Investment Group has constructed at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Lilongwe Campus.
NyaLonje went on to advise other private sector players must emulate the high standards set by Old Mutual Investment Group in timely implementation of infrastructure development.
She said: “If Old Mutual has done it in record time what can stop the government from achieving the same. Corruption that is insidiously holding us back from succeeding.”
She said the company finished the project in 17 months instead of 18 and spent within the K2.6 billion budget line without any overlaps.
The project has been implemented under the Build Operate and Transfer (BoT) arrangement where Old Mutual Investment Group will operate the facilities to recoup the investment and later hand over to the government.
Old Mutual Investment Group chief executive officer Edith Jiya said as a responsible business, they believe in pursuing investments which complement efforts to develop the economy and empower communities.
Having constructed 154 beds at Kuhes Lilongwe Campus as first phase, Jiya said they will next year proceed with phase two where they will construct a hostel of 550 beds at Kuhes Blantyre Campus and 4 000 bed capacity hostel at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Government launched the student’s accommodation project for public universities to benefit 4 700 students in the initial phase, and is being implemented under the Public Private Partnership arrangement.
