UNZA Hostel Work Complete, Students Urged to Protect Renovated Facilities

UNZA hostel work is complete at last with students encouraged to protect renovated facilities

Following months of waiting, University of Zambia students will return to campus after the Zambia National Service (ZNS) completed and announced that the rehabilitation of the institution's hostels is complete

ZNS have now declared the facilities are ready for use, and that the country's largest public university has had its primary sewer system restored.

ZNS Commander Lieutenant General Maliti Solochi said at a tour of the university yesterday that the rehabilitation works had transformed the hostels through extentive work of the damaged fittings and the restoration of essential services.

Lt Gen Solochi said the decision on when students will return now sits with the University of Zambia management.

"I am pleased to announce that the rehabilitation works on the student hostels and the primary sewer system have been completed and the facilities are ready for occupation. It is now up to the University of Zambia management to determine when the institution can reopen," Lt Gen Solochi said.

He thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for giving ZNS the responsibility to rehabilitate the university and urged students to take care of the newly renovated infrastructure.

"We have done our part by restoring these facilities to acceptable standards. I appeal to all students to take care of the new fittings and ensure they are properly maintained," he said.

The works included replacing toilets, showers, taps, electrical sockets, lights, doors and restoring the water reticulation system to improve water supply and sanitation across the hostels.

Furthermore, ZNS chief of land development branch Brigadier General Jephan Mukanda announced that works had now moved to the second phase, including constructing a new pump house and a parallel sewer line to reduce pressure on the existing sewer system.

He explained that the new infrastructure would give UNZA a more reliable sewer network capable of meeting future demand.

University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) secretary general Amos Mwale said students were eager to return to a better learning environment as a result of the works.

"I can confirm that the toilets, showers, taps and electrical sockets are all working, and the sewer system is clear. I can safely say UNZA is back to life," Mwale said.