State releases more funds for school construction

Mr Simukoko said the school was faced with the

THE Disaster Management challenge of inadequate space

and Mitigation (DMMU) after the roof of the 1 by 3

has released additional classroom block was blown

funds for the construction off.

of a 3 classroom block at Mr Simukoko said the

Nakamala Primary School school with pupils from

in Isoka. grades 1 to 7 was currently

Isoka District Council chairusing a 1 by 2 classroom block person Charles Simukoko said which was inadequate. works to reconstruct a 1 by 3 ‘‘Works to construct a 1 by classroom block that had 3 classroom that collapsed stalled due to lack of funds following heavy rains late last had resumed and were exyear have resumed following pected to be completed in the the realise of additional funds next two months. by DMMU.,” Mr Simukoko GOVERNMENT should remain consistent on policy and implementation strategies to avoid unnecessary economic shocks and imbalances on agriculture, the Small-Scale Farmers Development Agency (SAFADA) has said.

Executive director Boyd Moobwe said agriculture, which was the second dependable economic activity, would continue facing turbulences if policies were shuffled day in day out.

In an interview Mr Moobwe said inconsistent policy directions and decision-making were affecting the sector negatively.

He said the Zambian economy was facing a strong whirlwind that could cause total damage if agriculture was not handled with care. said.

He said the government through DMMU early this year released K70, 000 toward the project.

‘‘These funds were used for the construction of the supper structure and additional funds will be used for roofing and other final touches,’’ he said.

Mr Simukoko said the construction of a classroom block will improve learning and teaching environment for both pupils and teachers.

And Mr Simukoko said

“I do not understand why the e-voucher has failed when we have technocrats who are highly qualified, who could have projected if the system was a failure,” he said.

Mr Moobwe said in 2016 his organisation suggested that the e-voucher system be suspended to allow proper investigations but that was rejected.”

He said the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) was calling for the suspension of the electronic system.

Mr Moobwe said Government should quickly negotiate with the unpaid agro dealers and inputs suppliers to pave way for the 2019/2020 construction of a teacher’s house at Nakamala School using the Constituency Development Fund was on course and that construction of a teacher’s house would mitigate the shortage of accommodation at the learning institution.

‘’We have also started constructing a teacher’s house at this school using constituency development to mitigate shortage of accommodation the school is facing,’’Mr Simukoko said. farming season as it was ready drawing closer.

He advised Government to pay all pending balances and a commission of enquiry should be instituted to investigate the persons who were frustrating the e-voucher system.

Mr Moobwe, however, said reverting to the old system would be a waste of time and resources which could be channeled to other needed sectors.

“We do not support plans to revert to the old supply system and it will be a sheer waste of resources and time for the nation, and more over the old system was condemned as it had failed,” he said. al