Mzimba chief applauds government for Inkosi Ya Makhosi University construction

By Joel Phiri

Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V of Mzimba has applauded government for resuming construction works of the K450 billion Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa University in Mzimba.

Government has started construction works at the site, two years after promising to construct the university which the previous government started but failed to see to its conclusion.

In an interview on Tuesday, M’mbelwa said as, a chief, he is happy with the resumption of works at the site and hopes this time it will become a reality.

“Construction of this project has been in the hearts of people in Mzimba and indeed Malawians for a long time. People have been expecting the project ever since government initiated the project. We are happy to see that government has finally started works on the site,” he said.

M’mbelwa said the visit by the minister indicates government’s commitment to do the job.

He said people of Mzimba, and himself, are happy about the prospects of having a university in the district.

M’mbelwa said most of the programmes to be offered at the university such as animal science and veterinary medicine will help farmers in the district known for rearing livestock.

During a visit to the construction site on Monday, Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima reiterated President Chakwera’s commitment to make sure that the construction works are not halted.

She said the university will have its first phase completed in 2025 and opened in August same year for its first intake in basic sciences.

The entire university is expected to be complete by 2027 and will have a total enrolment capacity of 10,000 students, according to Wirima.

Director of Buildings in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, Sam Ngoma, said the Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa University, formerly known as Mombera Universoty, will comprise schools of basic sciences, school of veterinary medicine and school of animal science.