By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –

THE  Protea Hotel being constructed at Lusaka’s  Arcades shopping mall at the cost of K70 million is set to open in April this year, Union Gold Zambia Limited, chairperson Mark O’Donnel has said.
And Protea Zambia will soon embark on the construction of a K40 million new hotel at Ndola’s Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on the Copperbelt.
Mr O’Donnel said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the construction works on the hotel at Arcades were steadily progressing and the facility would be ready in April this year.
“I must say works on the construction of the Protea Hotel in Lusaka  is progressing well and we are set to open in April this year,” Mr O’Donnel said.
He said once the Lusaka hotel was completed, the contractor who is currently working on the Lusaka project would move to Ndola to commence another construction.
“So we are to invest about K40 million on the construction of the hotel in Ndola once the Lusaka project is completed.
“The contractor is currently working on the Lusaka project and once completed, Velos will have to move into Ndola and begin construction of the new hotel,” he said
The development of these facilities is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s economic development.
The Ndola hotel would have 80 bedrooms comprising 60 double-bed deluxe rooms and 20 twin-bed deluxe rooms.
All rooms would have extra-length beds, satellite television, air conditioning, telephone facilities, electronic safes and free Wi-Fiaccess.
It will also have a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.