ECL Mall on course

By KELVIN SIABANA CONSTRUCTION of the multimillion US dollar Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL) shopping mall in Kitwe is progressing well to the delight of engineers and other workers on site.

The ECL mall, which is financed and owned by the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA), is earmarked for completion before the end of this yearaccording to the schedule by the Chinese contractor AVIC International Engineering.

In an interview at the construction site, a Chinese engineer, who preferred anonymity, said

the mall, whose construction started in 2016, was another engineering and architectural masterpiece on the Copperbelt.

He said he was happy with the work culture of the Zambian engineers and other support staff, who were ensuring the project’s success.

The engineer said AVIC sourced most of its construction materials from within Zambia because it believed in local companies that had done a remarkable job so far.

He said the project had created job opportunities for both skilled and non-skilled Zambians at construction stage.

The engineer said once completed, the mall would add value to Kitwe’s beauty and boost the city’s commerce and trade, as it would house both local and international business entities.

He said since Kitwe was centrally located, the coming of the world class mall would boost other forms of business in the city.

He said the ECL mall would be different from other malls on the Copperbelt because it comprised a hotel under construction, office park and world class cinema halls.

“The Zambian government and other stakeholders have been supportive to AVIC to ensure that we work in a conducive, orderly and safe business environment,” he said.