Government has commissioned the construction of a green prefabricated housing production plant for Zambia National Shelter Company Limited at Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ) at a cost of 10 million United States Dollars.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Charles Milupi says the plant will produce prefabricated reinforced concrete panels that will be used in the construction of mass housing and other types of infrastructure.
Mr Milupi disclosed the establishment of the plant stems from the Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which President Hakainde Hichilema witnessed during his first State Visit to China in September 2023.
“As you may recall, President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to promote mass housing development between the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, National Housing Authority and the China Jiangsu International Economic Technical Cooperation corporation Zambia limited, during his first State Visit to China in September 2023,” he said.
He stated that Zambia was in a hurry to reduce the decent housing deficit, which is estimated to be more than 1.5 Million housing units.
Mr Milupi said the government is expected to develop about 220,000 housing per year in order to avoid the housing deficit rising to about 3.3 million by 2030.
“Our country Zambia is in a hurry to reduce the decent housing deficit, which is estimated to be more than 1.5 Million housing units. The Government is expected to develop about 220,000 housing per year in order to avoid the housing deficit rising to about 3.3 million by 2030,” Mr Milupi said.
He further said government recognizes that housing is an essential basic human right, critical for the wellbeing of all citizens and families hence attaching importance to the Private Public Partnership in a bid to address the current housing deficit.
And Managing Director of China Jiangsu International Economic Technical Cooperation Corporation Zambia Limited, Wang Shulin, said the production plant is premised on providing family shelters at affordable prices.
Mr Jiangsu said the prefabricated concrete housing plant is aimed at constructing houses with four advantages which include affordable prices, easy and fast installation, and an extended and environmentally friendly solar power system.
“As you may be keen to know, this development in its initial stage will provide 200 temporary jobs and 50 permanent jobs once the plant is fully operational,” said Mr Shulin.
Lusaka South Multi-facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ) Managing Director, Mwiza Museteka, said the LSMFEZ has become the vibrant hub of economic activities following the growing number of investors each year since inception in 2013.
Mr Museteka added that from 2013 to date the Zone has registered 108 companies through investment of which 28 are in fully operational and 16 companies are currently under construction.
“LSMFEZ has become the vibrant hub of economic activities following the growing number of Investors each year. We currently have 108 registered companies of which 28 are fully operational and 16 are under construction,” said Mr Museteka.
Meanwhile, Zambia Development Agency Director Albert Halwampa said ZDA has issued 145 companies worth 2 billion United States dollars to invest in Zambia in the third quarter of 2024.
Mr Halwampa said the joint venture partnership has created huge investment opportunities in Zambia which Zambians can take advantage of.
