LSU speeds up growth of Lupane

THE relocation of Lupane State University (LSU) to Lupane in Matabeleland North has accelerated development in the provincial capital, contributing up to US$30 million annually to its economy.

Prior to the relocation of the university from Bulawayo in 2016, Lupane faced perennial water challenges as it did not have a reliable water treatment plant.

However, the university’s relocation to Lupane prompted Government to release funds to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority for the water treatment plant.

In an interview, LSU Vice Chancellor Professor Pardon Kuipa said the university has led to an increase in the population in Lupane.

“We have contributed immensely to the growth of Lupane town. Financially we are contributing significantly to the province’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). When you talk of devolution you are not just talking about the administrative structures being devolved from Harare, Bulawayo resources moving to provinces,” he said.

Prof Kuipa said the LSU is a big contributor to the national and provincial GDP for Matabeleland North province.

“We have a population of 400 staff members here and Government is allocating close to half-a-billion dollars in salaries which is a big contribution to the GDP of Lupane,” he said.

Prof Kuipa said with a population of 6 000 students, LSU contributes an average of US$4,2 million in fees payment which also helps spurs development of the local economy.

He said the students and lecturers spend huge sums of money on their sustenance.

Prof Kuipa said lecturers who are into research are also bringing in finances from international organisations.

Prof Kuipa said the university’s presence has also led to social amenities being improved.

“When we came here in 2016, water works at Bubi Lupane Dam were not complete but our coming prompted the President to allocate funds to Zinwa so that works on the water treatment plant could be completed,” he said.

“There is a fund called Zimbabwe Reconstruction Fund (Zimref) which was looking at where to allocate funds and they decided to allocate the money to Lupane because of the sudden expansion in numbers. They allocated funds for the construction of treatment plants for water reservoirs,” he said.

Prof Kuipa said had the university remained in Bulawayo, some of the money that funded some projects, would not have been released to Lupane.

“In a way, we have had a very positive impact. Some of our lecturers have built houses here. Our lecturers and students are renting houses and some people have constructed houses with the hope that they become sources of income and this is all because of our presence,” he said.

Prof Kuipa said with continued assistance, Lupane has the potential of growing into a city.

“We have a Department of Urban Planning within the faculty of our humanities and social sciences and they have been helping the town board to do their master plan because that is the nature of their studies,” he said.

Prof Kuipa said the Lupane Town Board has also availed funds for the installation of street lights from the university to the business centre.

“The city council has also allocated resources towards the lighting of streets because they know that there is a young population of female students at our university and they need social amenities that protect them should they venture out during the night to the shops,” he said.–@nqotshili