Sat, 08 Jul 2017 13:22:23 +0000
By MUKOSELA KASALWE
GOVERNMENT is worried with the incomplete building at the junction of Katondo and Freedom Way in Lusaka as it is a health and safety hazard, says Minister of Local Government Vincent Mwale.
Mr Mwale however said Government would soon take action to bring sanity.
He told Parliament on Thursday in response to Milenge Member of Parliament Mwansa Mbulakulima, who described the building as a death trap and an avenue of thieves and other illicit activities.
Mr. Mwale said the idle building was originally owned by Zambia State Insurance Corporation who sold it to Royal Lutanda Company Limited in 2001 and that the matter was before the courts to establish the true owner of the building.
He said Government was aware of the health hazard and safety risks the building posed and was having discussions on the way forward.
He said President Edgar Lungu was equally concerned with the unfinished building hence Government was taking the necessary measures within the tenets of the law to deal with the situation.
Mr. Mwale expressed concern with not only the unfinished building in Lusaka’s Central Business District but also in Ndola and Kitwe districts.
“I must confess that Government is concerned with unfinished building and we are taking necessary measures within the law because the matter is before court.
“I will not disclose the specific action as that may jeopardize the whole process,” he said.
Mr. Mbulakulima said it was shocking and unacceptable that since 1992 nothing had been done to bring sanity to the building.
The minister said there was nothing wrong with the building because if it had some faults, the State would have razed it down.
Mbala MP Mwalimu Simfukwe said the building was an eye sore and dented the city negatively hence the need for appropriate action.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala excused Mr. Mwale from disclosing specific action being taken on the unfinished building saying the parliamentarian may be cited for contempt by the Court.
