Construction of hostels at Lupane University begins

The hostels are being constructed about 500 metres south of the main university’s proposed campus and are expected to house 752 students.

Last year in September the Government allocated $10,2 million towards the construction of the hostels and set a completion target of 12 months from commencement.

In an interview on Wednesday, LSU information and public relations officer Mr Zwelithini Dhlamini said there was notable progress on the ground.

“There is good progress on the construction of hostels. The project is at foundation level but excavations have been made. The two wardens’ houses are at roof level,” said Mr Dhlamini.

“The major challenge is the delay in the release of funds. If this problem could be addressed the project would move at a satisfactory pace.”

The Minister of Public Works, Joel Gabbuza Gabuza, also commended work at LSU, saying the institution was ahead of others in the construction of hostels.

The project is part of Government’s efforts to construct at least one hall of residence in each State university with LSU being one of the priority institutions.

The tender to construct LSU hostels was awarded to a Chinese contractor, Zimbabwe Jiangsu International (ZJI) Private Limited.

At the moment LSU is operating from the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) premises in Bulawayo while the university administration is also renting offices in the city centre.

Presenting the 2012 budget in November last year, Finance Minister Tendai Biti underscored the need to address accommodation shortages at State universities.

He said universities were experiencing increased enrolments, which were not complemented by construction of proper accommodation facilities.

The University of Zimbabwe for instance, can only accommodate about 4 287 students in its hostels against a ballooning enrolment of about 10 000 students.

The National University of Science and Technology (Nust) hostels can accommodate only 104 students against an enrolment of more than 4 000 students while the Midlands State University, which enrolls about 12 000, can only offer accommodation to 2 000 students.

Students and parents have repeatedly expressed concern over the issue saying the situation was leaving students at the mercy of landlords who often charge exorbitant rentals.