Muzii - The delays to commence with the upearthing of some schools in flood-prone areas of the Zambezi region, particularly Namiyundu, Nankuntwe, Muzii and Mpukano, has left residents of Kabbe South frustrated. 

The upearthing (raising the ground level) of schools in the flood-prone Kabbe North and South constituencies is considered long- overdue by residents of the two constituencies. 

Its realisation will be a relief to them, as schools in those areas are always forced to suspend classes due to seasonal floods.

Year in and year out, these schools are forced to close due to floodwater, which always surround the schools and submerge the teachers’ houses.  Raising the embankments aims to raise the platform of the schools to increase the carrying capacity, and prevent damage and disruptions of classrooms due to flooding.

It has been over two years since Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu announced while delivering his state of the region address in 2021 that the project would kick off.

 “A clearance certificate was obtained from the Environmental Commissioner to commence with actual work, and the consultant was appointed to supervise the project throughout its construction phases. The consultant managed to come up with geo-technical layouts, and actual construction will commence as soon as the water subsides in those areas,” said Sampofu at the time.

Community members are now of the opinion that government is making empty promises, and that the project will never be realised.

“We have been lied to for far too long.   The issue of upearthing is long-overdue. It started when some of us were still very young. Today, we are able to sit in a meeting to discuss this issue,” stated Muzii resident Melvin Kabuku.

“They were here for the feasibility study. They even put beacons, telling us that they are going to raise the ground level. But up until now, nothing has been done. They just wasted government resources,” stated another Muzii resident, Gift Malenga.

Contacted for comment, Sampofu responded that “the project is coming from 2013, and N$37 million was provided for this project. A study was conducted; and surveying and land mapping. The feasibility study was also done. Some of the money was used for the feasibility study. 

“Now, as we are speaking, it is about N$27 million, and it was transferred to the ministry of education. It is now between the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture. We are still waiting. It is just a matter of appointing a contractor to do the job.”

He added that the money which was given was supposed to upearth three schools, namely Nankuntwe, Mpukano and Muzii. “Looking at the budget, it is not enough for the three schools. Maybe we start with Mpukano because it is the smallest one,” reasoned Sampofu.

The governor said raising the ground level of these schools is crucial, as it will go a long way in addressing the issue of flooding. 

“According to the feasibility study, it is an area of 400 square metres to be upearthed per school. It means even the nearby villages can relocate to the school ground during floods,” he continued.

* Aron Mushaukwa is an information officer for the MICT in Zambezi region.

Photo: Zambezi