From STEVEN MVULA in Siavonga
MINISTER of Lands, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma says the people of Siavonga and the surrounding areas will greatly benefit from the high school being constructed in the district by Zesco at a cost of K40 billion.
Mr Yaluma said this here yesterday when he inspected works at Siavonga High School that have been fully funded by the power utility company under its corporate social responsibility programme.
The school which will be the largest learning institution in the area will take in over 500 boys and girls in its boarding facilities while another 500 will benefit as day scholars by January next year.
“This is a good initiative which will not only benefit the local community here but those from other provinces as well,” Mr Yaluma said.
He said the school will further attract other people to work in Siavonga, especially teachers as there are some staff houses that are being constructed at the learning institution.
“Without a good school in an area, no one accepts to work from there. But now here we have a state of the art high school,” he said.
Mr Yaluma commended Zesco for the initiative and appealed to other companies to emulate the power utility firm’s gesture.
And project director Wesley Lwiindi said Syno-Hydro China Company is on course in constructing the first ever high school in the area.
Mr Lwiindi said Zesco will also furnish the school with desks, laboratory equipment and other essentials before handing it over to the Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training.
“This is Zesco’s baby and we will ensure that everything is in place before we hand it over to the ministry,” Mr Lwiindi said.
Works at the school are at an advanced stage with dormitories and the assembly hall almost complete.