GENERAL education minister David Mabumba has expressed ignorance over government’s decision to list Jacaranda Basic School in Lusaka as a wasting asset and put it up for a public private partnership (PPP) project.
The government, through works and supply permanent secretary Agnes Musunga, has issued a notice to the Ministry of General permanent secretary and other associated government departments of its intention to take over to Jacaranda Primary School and four other public properties for redevelopment.
According to Musunga’s letter dated May 2, 2018, addressed to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of General Education, the government is on a transformation agenda of identifying and redeveloping wasting assets countrywide.
“In 1964, the Zambian government inherited building infrastructure from the British government which inherited buildings that were designated for public use. Over the years, the inherited buildings have not been adequately maintained and have since deteriorated. Arising from the aforementioned challenges, the Ministry of Works and Supply has been unable to deliver on its mandate of providing adequate office accommodation to MPSAs. This has led to a situation where some ministries have opted to rent private buildings. In this regard the ministry has embarked on a transformation agenda of identifying and redeveloping wasting assets countrywide,”
the letter signed by works and supply permanent secretary Musunga’s letter read in part .
Other properties listed as wasting assets include Hubert Young Hotels on Church Road, plot 12604 at the corner of Ngwee and UN roads in Longacres, plot 314 Independence Avenue, Small Enterprise Development Board House and an undeveloped plot on Nangweya Road opposite National Assembly motel.
“The Ministry of Works and Supply intends to conduct a market sounding event scheduled for 29 May 2018 in order to engage and identify possible finances and developers,” stated Musunga.
But when contacted, Mabumba expressed ignorance over the matter.
“I’m not aware of that. I don’t know anything,” said Mabumba before clearing the call.
When this reporter tried phoning him back, Mabumba’s phone went unanswered. The government recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Chinese AVIC International to redevelop NRDC in exhange for a campus in Shibuyunji district. The decision has been widely condemned but the government already signed a memorandum of understanding with then agriculture minister Dora Siliya over the deal.
Read this article from the original source: Minister Washes Hands Off Jacaranda School Sale, Distances Self.