By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, January 31, Mana: Minister of Labour, Agnes NyaLonje, says there is need to include boarding facilities and tutors’ houses at Lura Community Technical College in Rumphi for it to be conducive for vocational skills acquisition.

She was speaking Tuesday after inspecting the college to appreciate its readiness for operation.

In an interview after the inspection, NyaLonje said the location of the college necessitates construction of houses for tutors as well as boarding facilities for students.

"There are structures that need to be done which were not in the original plan. Apparently, the initial plan did not include other essential things such as electricity, accommodation for tutors and students.

“These are key things that require a significant budget, but were not included because they were overlooked at planning stage," said Nyalonje.

She added that government is considering options of funding the extra works including utilizing part of Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) allocated to Rumphi District Council in consultation with the Council.

She said her ministry is doing everything possible to source K50 million, which is an outstanding balance for the previous phases of the project, so that construction works resumes on the site.

Chairperson for Rumphi District Council, Harry Munyenyembe said boarding facilities at the institution would ensure that people from areas across the district are provided with an opportunity to acquire vocational skills training, adding that the current design only favors the college’s surrounding communities.

Construction of Lura Community Technical College started in 2018 and is expected to enroll up to 200 students into various vocational skills.

At least K1 billion has been spent on the project since construction started.