By MAYA NTANDA –

THE construction of a K2 million two-storey Library at Zambia Forest College (ZFC) in Kitwe has started, with Government pledging commitment to supporting the growth of the institution.

Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Permanent Secretary Inutu Suba who flagged off the construction project at the weekend, said the library would go a long way in improving the standards of education at the training institution.

Ms Suba said Government would endeavour to support institutions of learning such as ZFC by way of providing necessary infrastructure so that education standards could be raised.

The permanent secretary, who expressed happiness with the way the institution was being managed, was, however, concerned that the college had been subjected to inadequate funding.

Ms Suba said ZFC deserved more than it was currently receiving in terms of budgetary allocation.

“Notwithstanding that, I must say I am impressed with what I have seen at the college. The students’ hostels which are under construction are near completion,” Ms Suba said.

She stressed the need to improve the infrastructure for the honey and wood projects especially that these two had the potential to translate into jobs creation for the people.

Ms Suba was equally concerned with the invasion of the forestry territories by squatters and called for a stop to it.

ZFC principal Richard Banda said the Mwekera National Forest number six land in Kitwe has reduced from the initial 47, 000 to the current 11, 000 hectares.

Mr Banda attributed this to the more than 6, 000 squatters that had encroached on the forest reserve areas within Mwekera.

He said the college was making itself relevant to society by introducing new courses relevant to demands of the industry.

Mr Banda thanked the Government for the continued support it was rendering to the institution.